Individuelle

Individuelle is the German adjective meaning “individual” or “personal,” used to describe something that pertains to a single person or entity rather than a group or standard. The word derives from the Latin individuum, composed of in‑ “not” and dividuum “divisible,” and entered German via Middle High German, where it was adopted as a lexical element in both scholarly and everyday language.

In contemporary German, individuelle modifies nouns to indicate uniqueness, customization, or personal relevance, as in individuelle Bedürfnisse (individual needs), individuelle Förderung (personalized support), or individuelle Gestalt (individual form). The term is common in fields such as psychology, education, design, and law, where emphasis on personal rights, tailored solutions, or distinctive characteristics is important. In legal contexts, individuelle Rechte refer to rights that belong to each person separately, contrasting with collective or public rights.

The noun form, das Individuum, denotes a single human being or distinct entity, and the adjective can be nominalized in phrases like die Individuelle to refer collectively to personal aspects. The concept underscores the importance of personal agency and the tailoring of services, products, or policies to meet the specific circumstances of each person.