personal
Definitions
Relating to or belonging to a particular person; one's own.
个人的；属于某人的
Private; concerning one's inner life or relationships rather than public matters.
私人的；关乎私生活的
Aimed offensively at someone's character rather than at the issue.
针对个人的（含攻击意味）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedperson (a particular human) + -al (relating to) = 'relating to one particular person.' From there it branches: your own things (personal belongings), your private life (personal matters), and attacks aimed at the individual rather than the argument (don't make it personal).
Root person still carries 15 more wordsUsage Guide
- Possessive (neutral): personal belongings, personal account — yours, not shared.
- Private (neutral): a personal question, personal matters — about your inner life.
- Offensive (negative): 'Don't take it personally' / 'Let's not make this personal' — aimed at the person, not the issue.
Note: 'take it personally' = feel an attack is about you; very common and idiomatic.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Please keep your personal belongings with you at all times.
- 2.
I'd rather not answer that — it's a bit personal.
- 3.
Don't take it personally; the rule applies to everyone.
Synonym Comparison
- personal — belonging to or private to one individual: personal opinion
- private — not for the public; kept hidden: private conversation
- individual — relating to one separate unit, often vs a group: individual needs
- intimate — deeply personal and close, often emotional: intimate details