German word

Privatleben

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁiˈvaːtˌleːbn̩/

Meaning

  • neuter nounprivate life

Example

Er erzählt nie etwas aus seinem Privatleben.

He never tells anyone anything about his private life.

Illustration for Privatleben (private life)

More examples

Prominente klagen oft, wenn man in ihr Privatleben eindringt.

Celebrities often sue when someone intrudes on their private lives.

Core concept

A person's personal sphere beyond public roles, where close relationships and everyday leisure belong.

Common phrases

  • sein Privatleben schützen

    protect one's private life

  • das Privatleben respektieren

    respect one's private life

Similar words

Privatsphäre: The private sphere where personal life and information remain free from outside intrusion.
Intimsphäre: The most private sphere, including sexual matters and deeply personal feelings.
Familienleben: The part of life involving family members' daily routines and relationships.
Privatbereich: The personal sphere of spaces and activities outside public settings.

Definition in German

Die persönlichen, nicht öffentlichen Aspekte des Lebens einer Person, zum Beispiel Familie, Freundeskreis und Freizeit.

Word origin

The compound Privatleben combines Privat, a German borrowing ultimately derived from Latin privatus, with German Leben for life.

Usage tips

  • The phrase aus dem Privatleben takes the dative after aus, as in Er erzählt nie etwas aus seinem Privatleben.

Opposites

Related words

  • privatprivateadjective
  • Privatsphäreprivacynoun

Word lists with this word