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particulier
/paʁ.ti.ky.lje/
private, individual
Il a une vie très particulière.
He has a very private life.
general
Relating to a specific person or individual, not general or collective.
Chaque client a des besoins particuliers.
Each client has particular needs.
Often used to describe something unique to an individual.
general
Private, not public or shared.
C'est une affaire particulière.
It's a private matter.
Commonly used in legal and personal contexts.
general
Special or unique in some way.
Il a un talent particulier pour la musique.
He has a special talent for music.
Can imply a positive or negative distinction.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Adjective vs. Noun
'Particulier' can mean 'private' as an adjective or 'a private individual' as a noun.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning can shift between 'individual' and 'private' depending on context.
Word Origin
From Latin 'particularis', meaning 'of a part', from 'pars' (part) + '-cularis' (suffix denoting belonging to).
Usage Notes
Can be used both as an adjective and as a noun (un particulier = a private individual).
Word Breakdown
part-
part
prefix-iculier
belonging to
suffixDictionnaire Français-Anglais