private individual
Loading your saved state.
private individual
A natural person who acts in a private capacity and not in an official, professional, or public role.
Der Minister war als Privatperson auf der Feier und nicht in seiner Rolle als Regierungsmitglied.
The minister was at the celebration as a private individual and not in his role as a member of the government.
The word is made up of 'privat' (private) and 'Person' (person). So it literally describes a person in their private, non-public role.
Als Privatperson können Sie diese Dienstleistung nicht in Anspruch nehmen.
As a private individual, you cannot make use of this service.
'Privatperson' (private individual) is often used to create a contrast with a professional or public role. Someone acts either 'als Privatperson' (as a private individual) or, for example, 'in offizieller Mission' (on official business).
Der Polizist betonte, dass er als Privatperson und nicht im Dienst spreche.
The police officer emphasized that he was speaking as a private individual and not on duty.
The combination 'als Privatperson' (as a private individual) is a very common fixed phrase. It often introduces a sentence or subordinate clause to emphasize the private capacity of an action.
Ich gebe hier nur meine Meinung als Privatperson wieder.
I am only giving my opinion here as a private individual.
This word belongs more to formal language and is often used in official, legal, or journalistic texts.
Für Privatpersonen gelten andere steuerliche Regelungen als für Unternehmen.
Different tax regulations apply to private individuals than to companies.
civilian
'der Zivilist' and 'die Privatperson' both refer to a person outside a certain official role. 'Zivilist' is used especially as the opposite of the military, police, or armed groups. 'Privatperson' is used when someone is not acting as a company, public office, politician, or professional representative, but privately. The words can be confused because both sound like 'not official'. As a practical rule: in contexts involving war, the military, or the police, 'Zivilist' fits. In contexts involving contracts, purchases, or public roles, 'Privatperson' usually fits.
Laura verkauft das Fahrrad als Privatperson und nicht über ein Geschäft.
Laura is selling the bicycle as a private individual and not through a shop.
Bei dem Einsatz mussten die Helfer zuerst die Zivilisten in Sicherheit bringen.
During the operation, the helpers first had to get the civilians to safety.