einzelne

Einzelne is a German word that can function as an adjective and, when capitalized and used as a noun, as a plural noun meaning “the individuals.” As an adjective, it conveys the sense of single, individual, or particular and is commonly used to refer to separate members within a larger group. For example, einzelne Fälle, einzelne Personen, einzelne Datenpunkte describe specific items rather than the group as a whole. The word is typically used when the emphasis is on distinctness or separateness rather than on quantity.

In plural usage, einzelne precedes a plural noun and indicates individual members within a set. It can also appear in singular phrases such as eine einzelne Sache or ein einzelnes Stück to mark a single item. In many contexts, the distinction between einzelne and synonyms like mehrere or einige lies in the focus on individuality versus a rough count.

Die Einzelnen, with capital E, is a related nominalized form meaning “the individuals.” The singular der Einzelne or die Einzelne refers to a single person conceived as an individual, often in philosophical, sociological, or qualitative discussions, while die Einzelnen denotes multiple individuals.

Etymology traces einzelne to einzeln, the base adjective meaning “single” or “individual,” formed from ein- plus a derivational element. The word remains common in formal and written German, including scientific, analytical, and descriptive prose.

See also: individuell, separat, Einzel- (prefix).