subjective

Definitions

sub- (under) + ject (throw) + -ive (adjective) = 'relating to what is thrown under.' The subject is the individual mind that lies beneath all experience. Subjective perception is filtered through this personal lens — it's thrown under your own perspective.

Why It Means This

Subjective is the philosophical mirror of objective. Where objective means 'thrown before all observers equally,' subjective means 'thrown under the individual observer.' A subjective opinion comes from within one person; an objective fact exists independently of anyone. The pair is essential in academic writing, journalism, and debate: 'That's subjective' is a polite way of saying 'that's just your opinion.'

Common Collocations

• 1.subjective opinion主观看法
• 2.subjective experience主观体验
• 3.highly subjective极为主观
• 4.subjective judgment主观判断
• 5.subjective vs objective主观与客观

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Art appreciation is highly subjective — what moves one person may bore another.

• 2.

  The judge was criticized for making a subjective ruling.

• 3.

  Pain is a subjective experience that's hard to measure.