individuali

Individuali is the plural, and the common form in the masculine and feminine, of the Italian adjective individuale. It is used to describe qualities, rights, or attributes that pertain to an individual rather than to a group. As an adjective, individuali agrees with the noun it modifies and can be applied to a wide range of domains, including legal, social, psychological, and cultural contexts.

Etymology and meaning: individuali derives from Latin individualis, from indivisus meaning indivisible or separate. In Italian, the word evolved to denote what pertains to a single person or entity, distinguishing personal aspects from collective or communal ones. The feminine and masculine forms share the same plural ending, making individuali a gender-neutral plural for adjectives.

Usage and examples: In legal and civic discourse, phrases like diritti individuali (individual rights) and libertà individuale (individual freedom) are common. In social science and psychology, one might discuss tratti individualinei (individual traits) or differenze individuali (individual differences). The term is often contrasted with collettivi (collective) to emphasize personal responsibility, autonomy, or private sphere versus group or societal considerations.

Notes: While individuali is primarily an adjective, Italian also uses related nouns such as individuo (individual) and individualità (individuality) to refer to a person or the quality of being distinct. The context typically clarifies whether the focus is on the person, their rights, or their characteristics, rather than on a plural noun itself.