personal details / personnel matter
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personal details
A person's personal data, such as name, address, and date of birth. Used almost exclusively in the plural.
Die Polizei nahm die Personalien aller Zeugen auf.
The police recorded the personal details of all the witnesses.
The word belongs to the word family of 'Person' (person) and 'Personal' (staff/personnel). This helps you understand the two meanings: personal data (person) and a matter concerning staff (personnel).
Bitte füllen Sie das Formular mit Ihren persönlichen Daten aus.
Please fill out the form with your personal data.
The meaning changes completely with the number. In the plural ('die Personalien'), it always means personal details. In the singular ('die Personalie'), it always refers to a personnel decision in a company or organization.
Der Polizist notierte die Personalien des Fahrers.
The police officer noted down the driver's personal details.
In the plural, the word is often used with verbs such as 'aufnehmen' (to record), 'feststellen' (to establish/identify), or 'angeben' (to provide). This typically happens in official situations, e.g. with the police or government authorities.
Bei der Anmeldung im Hotel müssen Sie Ihre Personalien angeben.
When checking in at the hotel, you have to provide your personal details.
The singular form 'die Personalie' belongs to administrative and business language. You often hear or read it in news about politics or large companies.
In der Presse wurde viel über diese Personalie diskutiert.
This personnel matter was discussed a lot in the press.
identity
'die Identität' and 'die Personalien' both have to do with the question of who a person is. But 'Identität' refers more to the whole essence or the clear identification of a person: Who is this person really? 'Personalien', on the other hand, are specific personal details such as name, address, and date of birth. This word is almost always used in the plural. Learners may confuse the words because authorities or the police deal with both. When someone gives their personal details, you say 'Personalien'. When it is about the real person or their uniqueness, you say 'Identität'.
Vor dem Termin hat Tom seine Personalien in das Formular eingetragen.
Before the appointment, Tom entered his personal details in the form.
Nach dem Unfall konnte die Polizei die Identität des Fahrers schnell feststellen.
After the accident, the police were able to quickly determine the driver's identity.