personal / in person
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personal
Concerning a specific person; not general or public. Often in the sense of private or individual.
Das sind persönliche Dokumente, die niemanden etwas angehen.
These are personal documents that are nobody else's business.
The adjective 'persönlich' (personal) derives directly from the noun 'die Person' (person). So it always describes something that has a direct connection to a person.
Bitte geben Sie hier Ihre persönlichen Daten ein.
Please enter your personal data here.
'Persönlich' (personal / in person) can stand as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb describing how an action is carried out. As an adverb, it remains unchanged.
Das ist mein persönlicher Rekord.
That is my personal record.
The expression 'persönlich werden' (to get personal) means to leave an objective discussion and attack someone on an unobjective, often insulting level.
Bleib bitte sachlich und werde nicht persönlich!
Please stay objective and don't get personal!
The expression 'etwas persönlich nehmen' (to take something personally) means to understand a general statement or criticism as a direct attack on oneself and to feel hurt by it.
Das war nur ein Scherz, nimm das doch nicht gleich persönlich.
That was only a joke; don't take it personally right away.
In the meaning 'being present oneself', 'persönlich' (in person) is often combined with verbs of communication or movement. Typical phrases are 'persönlich sprechen' (to speak in person), 'persönlich treffen' (to meet in person), or 'persönlich vorbeikommen' (to come by in person).
Ich würde diese Sache gern persönlich mit Ihnen klären.
I would like to clarify this matter with you in person.
oneself / even
'selbst' and 'persönlich' can both express that a person does not have something done by someone else. 'selbst' strongly highlights the person: exactly this person does it. 'persönlich' often sounds a little more official and emphasizes that the person is really present or acts directly. For example, you can say: 'Der Chef kommt selbst' (the boss is coming himself) or 'Der Chef kommt persönlich' (the boss is coming in person). 'persönlich' fits especially well for appointments, conversations, or official matters.
Wir besprechen die Details persönlich mit der Kundin.
We discuss the details with the customer in person.
Herr Lange erklärt die Entscheidung heute selbst, damit es keine Missverständnisse gibt.
Mr. Lange explains the decision himself today so that there are no misunderstandings.