individul

Individul is the definite form of the Romanian noun individ, used to refer to a single being. The term derives from the Latin individuus, meaning indivisible, and entered modern languages through the idea of a unit that cannot be reduced to a larger class. In English, the corresponding term is “the individual.”

In philosophy, the individual denotes a concrete, particular entity capable of identity through time. Philosophers investigate what makes a given person the same individual across different states and experiences, exploring persistence criteria, identity conditions, and the distinction between the individual and universal or class concepts.

In biology and related sciences, an individual is a distinct unit of life, such as a single organism within a population. In the social sciences and psychology, individuals are treated as autonomous agents with subjective experiences, preferences, and behaviors that vary with context.

In law and ethics, individuals are recognized as moral and legal subjects, possessing rights and duties. Debates about personhood, privacy, consent, and responsibility center on the status and protection of the individual against harm or exploitation.

Usage and notes: Romanian definiteness is expressed with the suffix -ul attached to the noun, so “individul” refers to a specific member of a group. The term is used across disciplines to emphasize a single, unique unit within a broader set.