01
die Person
person
A single human being; an individual.
example
Für die Veranstaltung sind maximal 50 Personen zugelassen.
A maximum of 50 people are allowed at the event.
die Person
person
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'persönlich' (personal) and the noun 'Persönlichkeit' (personality) are closely related to 'Person' (person). All of these words refer to the qualities or character of an individual.
EXAMPLE
Das ist meine persönliche Meinung.
That is my personal opinion.
Official usage
The word 'Person' (person) is often used in official, formal, or administrative contexts, for example with the police, in government offices, or in announcements, often together with a number.
EXAMPLE
Im Aufzug dürfen sich maximal vier Personen aufhalten.
A maximum of four people may be in the elevator.
Fixed expression: per person
The phrase 'pro Person' (per person) is used very frequently to refer costs, amounts, or rules to a single individual.
EXAMPLE
Der Eintritt kostet zehn Euro pro Person.
Admission costs ten euros per person.
Context clue: grammar
When 'Person' (person) appears in connection with words like 'erste' (first), 'zweite' (second), 'dritte' (third), or grammatical terms such as 'Verb' (verb) or 'Pronomen' (pronoun), it refers to the grammatical category.
EXAMPLE
Im Deutschen konjugiert man Verben in der ersten, zweiten und dritten Person.
In German, verbs are conjugated in the first, second, and third person.
Context clue: law and business
In legal or business contexts, 'Person' (person) refers to a legal entity. Signal words for this are 'juristisch' (legal) or 'natürlich' (natural) in combination with 'Person' (person).
EXAMPLE
Ein eingetragener Verein (e.V.) ist eine juristische Person.
A registered association (e.V.) is a legal person.
Compare with
Person vs Mensch
human / person
'der Mensch' and 'die Person' can both mean a single human being. 'Mensch' sounds more general and often a bit more natural when you are talking about people in life, feelings, or characteristics. 'Person' sounds more neutral and precise, especially in forms, rules, reports, or when you mean a single unknown person. Learners confuse the words because both are often possible. As a practical guide: 'Mensch' is more human and general; 'Person' is more factual and countable.
Person
Bei der Anmeldung darf nur eine Person den Raum betreten.
Only one person may enter the room during registration.
Mensch
Nach dem Unfall fragte die Ärztin zuerst, ob der Mensch noch bei Bewusstsein war.
After the accident, the doctor first asked whether the person was still conscious.
In real life
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