die  Person

👤 What does "die Person" mean?

The word die Person (feminine) generally refers to a single human being, an individual. It can refer to a specific or an unspecified person.

• Human individual: This is the most common meaning. Example: "Es waren etwa 20 Personen im Raum." (There were about 20 people in the room.)
• Grammatical person: In linguistics, "Person" refers to the grammatical categories (1st, 2nd, 3rd person; singular/plural) that express the relationship between the speaker, the person addressed, and the person or thing spoken about. Example: "Das Verb steht in der dritten Person Singular." (The verb is in the third person singular.)
• Figure/Character: In literature or film, it can also refer to a character. Example: "Die Hauptperson des Romans ist sehr komplex." (The main character of the novel is very complex.)

🚨 It's important to note that "Person" in German is always grammatically feminine, regardless of the biological sex of the person being referred to. You always say die Person, even when talking about a man.

🧐 Grammar of "die Person" in Detail

"Die Person" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Die Person dort drüben kenne ich nicht. (I don't know the person over there.)
• Genitive: Das ist die Tasche der Person, die hier saß. (That's the bag of the person who was sitting here.)
• Dative: Ich habe der Person geholfen. (I helped the person.)
• Accusative: Kennst du die Person? (Do you know the person?)
• Plural: Viele Personen warteten auf den Bus. (Many people were waiting for the bus.)

💬 How to use "die Person"?

"Die Person" is a very common word in German. Here are some typical contexts:

• Counting/Stating numbers: Often used when referring to the number of people, especially in more formal contexts or regarding services. E.g.: "Der Tisch ist für vier Personen reserviert." (The table is reserved for four people.), "Der Eintritt kostet 10 Euro pro Person." (Admission costs 10 euros per person.)
• Formal or neutral designation: It's a neutral way to talk about a human being without specifying gender or adding emotional coloring. E.g.: "Eine unbekannte Person hat angerufen." (An unknown person called.)
• Legal/Administrative context: Frequently used in laws, forms, or official documents. E.g.: "Jede natürliche Person hat Rechte und Pflichten." (Every natural person has rights and obligations.), "Angaben zur Person." (Personal details.)
• Distinction from "Leute": While Leute (plural) is more informal and uncountable for a group of people, Personen (plural) is countable and often more formal. You say "viele Leute" (many people/folks), but "zehn Personen" (ten persons/individuals).

⚠️ Avoid using "Person" in a derogatory way, although it can sound distant in some contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Person"

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar but potentially misleading words

• Personal (das): Refers to the staff or employees of a company, not a single person.
• Persönlichkeit (die): Refers to the character traits of a person.

😂 A Little Joke

Frage: Warum hat die Person ihren Computer ans Fenster gestellt?

Antwort: Damit sie Windows sehen kann!

Translation:

Question: Why did the person put their computer by the window?

Answer: So they could see Windows!

✍️ Poem about a Person

Eine Person geht durch die Stadt,
Mal eilig, mal im Schritt, ganz glatt.
Mit Zielen, Träumen, groß und klein,
So ist das menschlich Dasein fein.
Ob Mann, ob Frau, ob alt, ob jung,
Die Person hat stets Elan und Schwung.

Translation:

A person walks through the town,
Sometimes hasty, sometimes smooth, slowing down.
With goals and dreams, both big and small,
Such is the human existence for all.
Whether man or woman, old or young,
The person always has vigor and momentum swung.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe einen Kopf, doch keine Haare,
Ich habe einen Namen, doch bin nicht Ware.
Ich kann lieben, lachen, weinen,
Bin einzigartig unter all den Deinen.
Im Pass steht mein Geschlecht, doch mein Artikel ist immer 'die',
Wer oder was bin ich, sag's mir irgendwie?

Hint: I have a head, but no hair, / I have a name, but am not ware. / I can love, laugh, cry, / Am unique among all of yours nigh. / My passport shows my sex, but my article is always 'die', / Who or what am I, tell me by and by?

Solution: die Person (the person)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Person" comes from the Latin persona, which originally meant "mask" (especially in theatre) and then came to mean the role or character, and finally the individual themself.
• Compound words: There are many compound words with "Person" in German, e.g., Personalausweis (ID card), Personenverkehr (passenger transport), Privatperson (private individual), Rechtsperson (legal entity), Bezugsperson (caregiver, reference person), Hauptperson (main character).
• Legal Meaning: In law, a distinction is made between "natürliche Person" (natural person, i.e., a human being) and "juristische Person" (legal person/entity, e.g., a company, an association).