01
die Privatsache
private matter
A personal matter that concerns only the person involved and is not intended for the public.
example
Ob ich heirate oder nicht, ist meine Privatsache.
Whether I get married or not is my private matter.
die Privatsache
private matter
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of the adjective 'privat' (private) and the noun 'die Sache' (the matter/thing). So it literally means a matter that is not public, but personal.
EXAMPLE
Seine Finanzen sind seine Privatsache.
His finances are his private matter.
Typical use
The word is very often used with a possessive pronoun to set a personal boundary. The statement 'Das ist meine Privatsache' (That is my private matter) means that you do not want to talk about a topic.
EXAMPLE
Was ich in meiner Freizeit mache, ist meine Privatsache.
What I do in my free time is my private matter.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'etwas ist reine Privatsache' (something is purely a private matter) is often used to emphasize that a matter is absolutely no one else's business. The adjective 'rein' (pure) strengthens the statement here.
EXAMPLE
Die Entscheidung, umzuziehen, ist reine Privatsache der Familie.
The decision to move is purely the family's private matter.
Compare with
Privatsache vs Geheimnis
secret
'das Geheimnis' and 'die Privatsache' both concern things that are not meant for everyone. A 'Geheimnis' is specific information that should remain hidden or that only a few people know. A 'Privatsache' is a personal matter that is nobody else's business. It does not necessarily have to be secret, but you want to decide for yourself whether to talk about it. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with personal information. 'Geheimnis' emphasizes hiding a piece of information, while 'Privatsache' emphasizes a personal boundary.
Privatsache
Seine Krankheit ist eine Privatsache, deshalb fragt niemand weiter nach.
His illness is a private matter, so no one asks any further questions.
Geheimnis
Im Bus hat Paul aus Versehen ein Geheimnis über die Reise verraten.
On the bus, Paul accidentally revealed a secret about the trip.
In real life
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