persoonlijk
Belonging to or affecting a particular person.
Overview
The Dutch word 'persoonlijk' is an adjective that directly translates to 'personal' in English. It's used to describe something that belongs to, relates to, or affects a particular person. Its usage is quite similar to its English counterpart, but understanding its nuances can enrich your Dutch vocabulary and communication.
**Core Meaning and Usage:**
At its heart, 'persoonlijk' signifies individuality and direct connection to a person. Consider these common applications:
- Possession/Belonging: When something is 'persoonlijk,' it means it's someone's own, not shared or public. For example, 'mijn persoonlijke bezittingen' means 'my personal belongings,' referring to items that exclusively belong to you.
- Private/Confidential: It can denote something that is private or confidential to an individual, not meant for public knowledge. 'Een persoonlijke kwestie' would be 'a personal matter,' implying something that concerns only that person and is often kept private.
- Direct Interaction/Involvement: 'Persoonlijk' can also describe a direct, one-on-one interaction or involvement. If you 'persoonlijk spreken met iemand,' you are 'speaking personally with someone,' emphasizing a direct conversation without intermediaries.
- Subjective/Individual Perspective: It can refer to a subjective viewpoint or opinion. 'Mijn persoonlijke mening is...' translates to 'My personal opinion is...', highlighting that the opinion is yours and not necessarily a universally accepted fact.
- Customized/Tailored: In a commercial or service context, it often implies something customized or tailored to an individual's needs. 'Persoonlijk advies' means 'personal advice,' suggesting guidance specific to your situation.
**Grammatical Forms and Agreement:**
As an adjective, 'persoonlijk' will agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. However, in modern Dutch, the 'e' ending is often omitted for common gender singular nouns, unless it's used attributively (before the noun) and the noun is defined or preceded by a definite article or demonstrative pronoun. Generally:
- Singular (common gender): 'de persoonlijke brief' (the personal letter)
- Singular (neuter gender): 'het persoonlijke gesprek' (the personal conversation)
- Plural: 'de persoonlijke gegevens' (the personal data)
When used predicatively (after a verb like 'zijn' - to be), it remains 'persoonlijk' regardless of the noun's gender or number: 'Die opmerking was persoonlijk' (That remark was personal).
**Common Expressions and Idioms:**
- Persoonlijk contact: Personal contact, direct interaction.
- Persoonlijke ontwikkeling: Personal development, self-improvement.
- Persoonlijke gegevens: Personal data/information.
- Iemand persoonlijk kennen: To know someone personally.
- Het persoonlijk opnemen: To take it personally.
**Distinction from Similar Words:**
While 'persoonlijk' is quite straightforward, it's good to distinguish it from words like 'privé' (private), which often carries a stronger connotation of secrecy or exclusivity, and 'individueel' (individual), which emphasizes singularity rather than direct personal connection.
In summary, 'persoonlijk' is a versatile adjective that highlights the connection of something to a specific person, encompassing aspects of ownership, privacy, directness, and subjectivity. Mastering its use will greatly enhance your ability to express nuanced ideas in Dutch.
例文
dat is mijn persoonlijke mening
as in, belonging to an individualthat is my personal opinion
hij heeft persoonlijke problemen
as in, affecting an individual's private lifehe has personal problems
een persoonlijke aanval
as in, directed at a particular persona personal attack
de chef sprak hem persoonlijk aan
as in, directly to the individualthe boss addressed him personally
persoonlijke bezittingen
as in, possessions of an individualpersonal belongings
よく使う組み合わせ
よく混同される語
文法パターン
使い方
使い方のコツ
'Persoonlijk' can be used as an adjective or an adverb in Dutch. As an adjective, it directly modifies a noun, as in 'een persoonlijke kwestie' (a personal matter) or 'persoonlijke bezittingen' (personal belongings). In this context, it highlights that something pertains exclusively to an individual. As an adverb, it often means 'personally' or 'in person,' as in 'Ik heb hem persoonlijk gesproken' (I spoke to him personally). It can also emphasize that an action or feeling comes from an individual's own perspective or involvement, e.g., 'Ik vind dat persoonlijk niet zo'n goed idee' (Personally, I don't think that's such a good idea). It's important to differentiate 'persoonlijk' from 'privé,' which strictly means 'private' in the sense of not being public. While there's overlap, 'persoonlijk' often implies a deeper connection to the individual's identity or involvement, whereas 'privé' simply refers to non-public information or spaces.
よくある間違い
A common mistake for English speakers might be to confuse 'persoonlijk' with words that sound similar but have different meanings, or to misinterpret the 'lijk' ending. While '-lijk' often translates to '-ly' or '-able' in other contexts, here it signifies 'belonging to' or 'affecting' a person. Another mistake could be using it interchangeably with 'privé' (private). While related, 'persoonlijk' emphasizes the individual connection or impact, whereas 'privé' often refers to something not meant for public knowledge or access. For example, 'een persoonlijke aanpak' (a personal approach) highlights an individualized method, while 'een privéaangelegenheid' (a private matter) suggests confidentiality. It's important to understand the nuance of individual connection versus general privacy.
ヒント
Use in formal contexts:
Distinguish from 'privé':
Common phrases:
語源
Derived from the Middle Dutch 'persoonlijc', from 'persone' (person) and '-lijc' (adjective-forming suffix, akin to '-ly' in English). It shares roots with the Old French 'personnel' and Latin 'personalis'. The concept of 'personal' has evolved from referring to an individual's legal or social status in Roman law to its more modern meaning of pertaining to an individual's private self or characteristics. Over centuries, the word has maintained its core meaning of individuality and direct relation to a person, differentiating itself from collective or public aspects. Its usage in Dutch reflects a direct adoption and adaptation of this concept, highlighting the importance of the individual in various contexts, from possessions to opinions and direct interactions. The suffix '-lijk' is a common Germanic suffix used to form adjectives from nouns, signifying 'like' or 'pertaining to', thus 'persoonlijk' literally means 'person-like' or 'pertaining to a person'. This linguistic construction is paralleled in other Germanic languages, emphasizing a shared etymological heritage.
文化的な背景
In Dutch culture, 'persoonlijk' often carries a strong emphasis on privacy and individuality. Dutch society values directness, but also respects personal space and boundaries. Therefore, when something is described as 'persoonlijk,' it implies a high degree of individual ownership or a matter that is deeply private and not for public discussion. This can be seen in how personal opinions are shared, often prefaced with phrases like 'Mijn persoonlijke mening is...' (My personal opinion is...). It also relates to the concept of 'gezelligheid' (coziness/conviviality), where personal connections are fostered in private, intimate settings rather than grand public displays. The distinction between public and personal life is often quite clear, and delving too deeply into someone's 'persoonlijke' matters without an established relationship can be seen as intrusive. Therefore, understanding this nuance is key to navigating social interactions in the Netherlands, where personal matters are typically reserved for close acquaintances and family.
覚え方のコツ
Visualize a 'person' (persoon) holding something 'personlijk' (personal) close to them, like a personal diary or a treasured possession. Imagine the 'lijk' at the end sounding like 'like', as in 'like a person'.
よくある質問
4 問自分をテスト
De __________ assistent helpt me met mijn taken.
Ik geef de voorkeur aan __________ benadering bij het lesgeven.
Zijn __________ bezittingen werden aan zijn familie teruggegeven.
スコア: /3
Use in formal contexts:
Distinguish from 'privé':
Common phrases:
例文
5 / 5dat is mijn persoonlijke mening
that is my personal opinion
hij heeft persoonlijke problemen
he has personal problems
een persoonlijke aanval
a personal attack
de chef sprak hem persoonlijk aan
the boss addressed him personally
persoonlijke bezittingen
personal belongings
関連コンテンツ
generalの関連語
aanbevelen
B1To suggest something as a good choice.
aandacht
B1Focus or notice directed towards someone or something.
aandachtig
B1Paying close attention
aandrang
B1Urgent pressure or request.
aandringend
B1Persistent and urgent.
aanduiden
B1To be a sign of or to indicate.
aanduiding
B1A sign or mark indicating something.
aaneensluiten
B2To join or connect together.
aangeven
B1To point out or indicate.
aangezien
B2Given that or because