adjective
private, personal
A2
privat: adjective meaning private (not public) or personal (relating to personal life). Opposite: öffentlich. Gradable: privater, superlative am privatesten. Used for property, conversations, information (private/personal). Regular adjective declension; not reflexive or auxiliary. Common in legal and everyday contexts. Can be used attributively and predicatively.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Da die Angelegenheit privat war, führte der Vorstand das Gespräch in einem kleinen Kreis, damit keine Informationen nach außen drangen.
Since the matter was private, the board held the discussion with a small group so that no information leaked to the outside.
Er hat mir privat sehr persönliche Informationen gegeben.
He gave me very personal information in private.
Das ist ein privates Gespräch.
That's a private conversation.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a closed door with a big sign reading "PRIVATE"; behind it are personal items.
Sounds like the English word "private".
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Privat is used both attributively and predicatively and can also function adverbially (e.g., "privat sprechen"). It corresponds to English "private" or "personal" depending on context. Be careful not to confuse with the noun "das Private" (the private/personal sphere).