particulares

Particulares is a Spanish term that functions both as a plural noun and as an adjective. As a noun, it refers to private individuals—people who act in a private capacity rather than as representatives of a public body or a company. In this sense it contrasts with las autoridades, la empresa, or el estado. As an adjective, it describes things related to private persons or the private sector, as in ventas entre particulares or escuela particular.

Common contexts include commerce, where venta entre particulares means a private sale; law and administration, where actions are distinguished by whether they are carried out by particulares or by public entities; education or health care, with terms like escuelas particulares or seguro de salud para particulares. The term also appears in phrases such as propietario particular (private owner) and contrato entre particulares.

Regional notes: In Spain and many Latin American countries the term is widely used; in other contexts privado may be preferred for related meanings. Etymology: from Latin particularis meaning private, personal; the noun form evolved in Spanish to denote private individuals. The plural particulares is used for mixed-gender groups. Overall, particulares helps distinguish non-institutional or private-sector participants from public authorities, organizations, or professionals in a range of everyday and legal contexts.