Inklingo

How to Say "individual" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “individual” is “persona” — use 'persona' when referring to a single human being in a general sense, especially when distinguishing one person from a group or when the focus is simply on someone being present..

persona🔊A1

Use 'persona' when referring to a single human being in a general sense, especially when distinguishing one person from a group or when the focus is simply on someone being present.

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individuo🔊B1

Opt for 'individuo' when you want to emphasize a single person as a distinct entity, often in contexts discussing rights, responsibilities, or as a countable unit within a larger population.

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sujeto🔊A2

Use 'sujeto' as a more general or sometimes slightly more formal term for a person, particularly in situations like reporting an observation or when the identity of the person is not fully known or emphasized.

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elemento🔊C1

Choose 'elemento' when referring to a person as a component or member of a group, especially in contexts related to security, investigation, or when someone is considered part of a specific set or category.

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personales🔊A1

Use 'personales' when referring to something that belongs to, affects, or is specific to one individual, functioning as an adjective rather than a noun.

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English → Spanish

persona

/per-SOH-nah//peɾˈso.na/

NounA1General
Use 'persona' when referring to a single human being in a general sense, especially when distinguishing one person from a group or when the focus is simply on someone being present.
A colorful illustration of one person standing alone, representing an individual.

Examples

Hay una persona en la puerta.

There is a person at the door.

Es una persona muy amable.

He/She is a very kind person.

Necesitamos tres personas para el equipo.

We need three people for the team.

Always Feminine

The word 'persona' is always treated as a feminine word in grammar, even if you're talking about a man. This means you always use 'la', 'una', and any describing words must also be in their feminine form (like 'alta' instead of 'alto').

Using the Wrong Gender

Mistake: “Mi padre es un persona muy inteligente.”

Correction: Mi padre es una persona muy inteligente. The word 'persona' itself is always feminine, so you must use 'una', not 'un'.

Incorrect Adjective Agreement

Mistake: “El profesor es una persona muy simpático.”

Correction: El profesor es una persona muy simpática. Because 'persona' is feminine, the describing word ('simpática') also needs to be feminine to match it.

individuo

in-dee-VEE-dwo/in.diˈβi.ðwo/

NounB1General
Opt for 'individuo' when you want to emphasize a single person as a distinct entity, often in contexts discussing rights, responsibilities, or as a countable unit within a larger population.
A simple storybook illustration showing a solitary figure standing in the center of a wide, empty landscape, emphasizing the concept of being alone.

Examples

Cada individuo tiene derecho a la libre expresión.

Every individual has the right to free expression.

El estudio analizó las preferencias de mil individuos.

The study analyzed the preferences of a thousand individuals.

Necesitamos un individuo con experiencia en este campo.

We need a person with experience in this field.

Gender Note

Even though 'individuo' is a masculine word, it can refer to a woman or a man. For example, 'Ella es un individuo muy talentoso' (She is a very talented individual).

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “Using 'individua' to refer to a woman.”

Correction: The word 'individuo' is always masculine ('el individuo'), regardless of the gender of the person it refers to. Do not change the ending.

sujeto

soo-HEH-toh/suˈxeto/

NounA2General/Formal
Use 'sujeto' as a more general or sometimes slightly more formal term for a person, particularly in situations like reporting an observation or when the identity of the person is not fully known or emphasized.
A simple illustration of a casually dressed man with a friendly expression standing and looking forward.

Examples

Vimos a un sujeto sospechoso cerca de la tienda.

We saw a suspicious individual near the store.

Ese sujeto siempre llega tarde a las reuniones.

That guy always arrives late to the meetings.

La policía está buscando a un sujeto de 40 años.

The police are looking for a 40-year-old suspect.

elemento

eh-leh-MEN-toh/e.leˈmen.to/

NounC1Formal/Specific
Choose 'elemento' when referring to a person as a component or member of a group, especially in contexts related to security, investigation, or when someone is considered part of a specific set or category.
A single individual wearing a uniform standing out slightly from a small, unified group of three other people in matching uniforms.

Examples

La seguridad detuvo a un elemento sospechoso cerca de la entrada principal.

Security detained a suspicious individual near the main entrance.

Necesitamos identificar a los elementos más influyentes del equipo.

We need to identify the most influential members of the team.

Referring to People

Using 'elemento' to refer to a person is usually quite formal or impersonal, often used by police or authorities. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation, like 'a bad element' in English.

personales

per-so-NAH-les/peɾ.soˈna.les/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'personales' when referring to something that belongs to, affects, or is specific to one individual, functioning as an adjective rather than a noun.
A close-up view of a hand holding a pen, writing in a small, closed book secured with a tiny gold lock, symbolizing privacy and something relating exclusively to one person.

Examples

Necesito hablar contigo sobre asuntos personales.

I need to talk to you about personal matters.

Todos tienen sus razones personales para tomar esa decisión.

Everyone has their personal reasons for making that decision.

Las llamadas personales están prohibidas durante el horario de trabajo.

Private calls are prohibited during work hours.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'personales' ends in '-es', it is the plural form. It must be used to describe plural nouns, whether they are masculine (asuntos) or feminine (razones).

Using the Singular Form

Mistake: “Tengo dos problema personal.”

Correction: Tengo dos problemas personales. (The adjective must be plural to match the plural noun 'problemas'.)

Noun vs. Adjective Confusion

Learners often confuse the noun 'individuo' or 'persona' with the adjective 'personales'. Remember that 'personales' is always used to describe something belonging to a person (personal matters, personal space), while the others are nouns referring to a person themselves.

Related Translations

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