Based on personal feelings, opinions, or one's own perception and therefore not universally valid. It is the opposite of objective.
example
Die Bewertung von Kunst ist oft eine sehr subjektive Angelegenheit.
The evaluation of art is often a very subjective matter.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'subjektiv' (subjective) is closely connected to 'das Subjekt' (the subject). A subjective point of view is the perspective of an individual subject (a person) and is not universally valid.
EXAMPLE
Jeder Mensch hat eine subjektive Wahrnehmung der Realität.
Every person has a subjective perception of reality.
Adverbial use
'Subjektiv' (subjectively) is often used as an adverb to mark a statement as a personal opinion. It usually appears at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Subjektiv gesehen ist dieser Film der beste des Jahres.
Subjectively speaking, this film is the best of the year.
Typical collocations
Common combinations are 'eine subjektive Meinung' (a subjective opinion), 'eine subjektive Einschätzung' (a subjective assessment), or 'etwas subjektiv empfinden' (to perceive something subjectively).
EXAMPLE
Das ist nur meine subjektive Meinung, andere sehen das vielleicht anders.
That is only my subjective opinion; others may see it differently.
Compare with
near_synonym · confusable
subjektiv vs persönlich
personal / in person
'persönlich' and 'subjektiv' can both have to do with one's own person. 'persönlich' says that something concerns or belongs to a specific person, for example an opinion, experience, or piece of information. 'subjektiv' says more precisely that something depends on one's own feelings, impressions, or opinions and therefore does not necessarily apply to everyone in the same way. The words can be confused because a personal opinion is often also subjective. But not everything personal is subjective: personal data, for example, is not feelings or judgments.
subjektiv
Ob der Film spannend ist, bleibt subjektiv.
Whether the film is exciting remains subjective.
persönlich
Für die Anmeldung brauchen wir deine persönliche Adresse.
We need your personal address for the registration.