individu

Individu is a term used across languages to denote a single, distinct entity, most often a human being, as opposed to a collective or category. In English, the closest term is individual; in French the form is individu. The word comes from Latin indivisus, meaning not divided, and it emphasizes the boundary that marks one entity as separate from others.

In philosophy, the concept of the individu is central to questions of personal identity and responsibility. Philosophers debate what makes a person the same over time—psychological continuity, such as memory, character, and consciousness, and bodily continuity are among the competing criteria. The term also appears in discussions of agency, autonomy, and the rights and duties attached to persons rather than things.

In social sciences and law, an individu is treated as an agent with rights and obligations. Sociologists study how individuality emerges within groups and how socialization, culture, and social roles shape personal identity. In law, natural person or juridical person denotes a being or entity with legal capacity, recognized rights, and duties, while the term may also refer to an abstract or hypothetical unit in statistical or demographic analysis.