private individual / man of independent means
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private individual
A man in his capacity as a private person, as opposed to his role in a profession or public office.
Der Bürgermeister betonte, dass er die Spende als Privatmann und nicht im Namen der Stadt getätigt habe.
The mayor emphasized that he had made the donation as a private individual and not on behalf of the city.
man of independent means
A man who lives off his wealth and does not have to do paid work. A synonym is 'Privatier' (person of independent means).
Nach dem Verkauf seiner Firma lebte er als wohlhabender Privatmann in der Schweiz.
After selling his company, he lived in Switzerland as a wealthy man of independent means.
The word is made up of the adjective 'privat' (private) and the noun 'Mann' (man). It describes a man in his private, non-public, or non-professional role.
Auch ein berühmter Schauspieler ist am Ende des Tages nur ein Privatmann.
Even a famous actor is, at the end of the day, just a private individual.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If a person with a public office (e.g., politician, police officer) is speaking, 'als Privatmann' (as a private individual) means the private role. If the context is about wealth and not having to work, the intended meaning is 'a person who lives off their wealth.'
„Ich sage das als Privatmann, nicht als Firmensprecher“, erklärte er.
'I am saying this as a private individual, not as a company spokesperson,' he explained.
In the meaning 'private person,' the word is almost always used with the preposition 'als': 'als Privatmann' (as a private individual). This construction emphasizes the contrast with a professional or public function.
Der Polizist war nicht im Dienst, er handelte als Privatmann.
The police officer was not on duty; he acted as a private individual.
The meaning 'man who lives off his wealth' is rather rare today and sounds somewhat old-fashioned. You find it mainly in literature or in stories about earlier times.
Im 19. Jahrhundert war es der Traum vieler, als reicher Privatmann leben zu können.
In the 19th century, it was the dream of many people to be able to live as a wealthy man of independent means.
private individual
Privatperson and Privatmann refer to someone outside a professional or public role. Privatperson is gender-neutral and can be used for anyone. Privatmann explicitly refers to a man; for a man, both terms are possible, depending on whether his gender should be emphasized.
Der Bürgermeister nimmt als Privatmann an der Feier teil.
The mayor is attending the celebration as a private individual.
Die Bürgermeisterin nimmt als Privatperson an der Feier teil.
The mayor is attending the celebration as a private individual.
