Difference Wiki

Personal vs. Interpersonal: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 7, 2023
Personal pertains to an individual, while Interpersonal relates to interactions between individuals.

Key Differences

Personal and Interpersonal, while both involving individuals, focus on different aspects. Personal zeroes in on a single individual, their feelings, characteristics, and experiences. It's the realm of self-awareness, introspection, and individuality. For example, personal beliefs, personal items, or personal space all revolve around the singular entity – the individual.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Interpersonal, on the other hand, navigates the space between individuals. It concerns the relationships, communications, and interactions that occur when two or more people engage with each other. Interpersonal skills, for instance, refer to one's ability to communicate or interact effectively with others. Where Personal might delve into one's inner monologue, Interpersonal explores the dialogue between people.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Interestingly, the prefix "inter-" in Interpersonal provides a hint. It means "between," pointing to the relational aspect of the word. Personal might examine one's personal growth or journey, but Interpersonal would look at how an individual connects, relates, or communicates with others.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
To sum it up, Personal is all about the individual – their thoughts, feelings, and possessions. Interpersonal, in contrast, shifts the focus from the individual to the space between individuals, emphasizing relationships and interactions.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

Comparison Chart

Focus

Individual
Between individuals
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Oct 07, 2023
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Involves

One person
Two or more people
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Oct 07, 2023

Prefix Meaning

"Pertaining to"
"Between"
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Context Usage

Describing individual experiences or possessions
Describing relationships or interactions between people
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Example Situation

Reflecting on personal feelings
Building interpersonal relationships at a workplace
Aimie Carlson
Oct 07, 2023

Personal and Interpersonal Definitions

Personal

Of or relating to a particular person; private
“Like their personal lives, women's history is fragmented, interrupted” (Elizabeth Janeway).
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Jan 07, 2023
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Interpersonal

Of or relating to the interactions between individuals
Interpersonal skills.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Done, made, or performed in person
A personal appearance.
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Jan 07, 2023

Interpersonal

Existing or occurring between individuals
Interpersonal communication or conflict.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Done to or for or directed toward a particular person
A personal favor.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Interpersonal

Between two or more people.
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Jan 07, 2023
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Personal

Concerning a particular person and that person's private business, interests, or activities; intimate
I have something personal to tell you.
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Jan 07, 2023

Interpersonal

Occurring among or involving several people;
Interpersonal situations in which speech occurs
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Aimed pointedly at the most intimate aspects of a person, especially in a critical or hostile manner
An uncalled-for, highly personal remark.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Tending to make remarks, or be unduly questioning, about another's affairs
As the student debate got heated, it got personal.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Of or relating to the body or physical being
Personal cleanliness.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Relating to or having the nature of a person or self-conscious being
Belief in a personal God.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

(Law) Of or relating to the person
Personal property as opposed to real property.
Personal jurisdiction as opposed to in rem jurisdiction.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

(Grammar) Indicating grammatical person.
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

A personal item or notice in a newspaper.
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Personals A column in a newspaper or magazine featuring personal notices.
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Pertaining to persons (human beings as opposed to things or animals).
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals
Her song was her personal look at the values of friendship.
Personal values
Personal desire
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Dealing with subjects about which one wishes (or people usually wish) to maintain privacy or discretion; not for public view; sensitive, intimate.
You can't read my diary—it is personal.
That's a very personal question.
I can't believe you went through my drawers and looked at all my personal things!
Personal reasons
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

(euphemistic) Intended for sexual use.
Personal lubricant; personal massager
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; bodily.
Personal charms
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Done in person; without an intermediary.
A personal interview
A personal meeting
Personal settings
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Relating to an individual, their character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner
Personal reflections or remarks
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

(grammar) Denoting a person or people.
A personal pronoun
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Denoting ownership.
One's personal vehicle, as opposed to a company vehicle
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

An advertisement by which an individual attempts to meet others with similar interests.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

One's own property or asset
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
Every man so termed by way of personal difference.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals; peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.
The words are conditional, - If thou doest well, - and so personal to Cain.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Done in person; without the intervention of another.
The immediate and personal speaking of God.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Denoting person; as, a personal pronoun.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

A movable; a chattel.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

A short newspaper article about a particular person or group
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality;
A personal favor
For your personal use
Personal papers
I have something personal to tell you
A personal God
He has his personal bank account and she has hers
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Particular to a given individual
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Of or arising from personality;
Personal magnetism
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Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Intimately concerning a person's body or physical being;
Personal hygiene
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Indicating grammatical person;
Personal verb endings
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 07, 2023

Personal

Relating to an individual.
My personal opinion is that we should go ahead.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

Personal

Private or confidential.
This is a personal matter; please keep it to yourself.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

Personal

Referring to possessions.
I don't touch other people's personal items.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Personal

Concerning one's own life.
He took the criticism as a personal attack.
Sara Rehman
Oct 07, 2023

Personal

Distinctive to a particular individual.
She has her personal way of doing things.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

FAQs

Are personal items shared?

Typically, personal items are private to an individual, but they can choose to share them.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Can personal beliefs affect interpersonal relationships?

Absolutely, one's personal beliefs can influence how they interact with others.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Do Personal and Interpersonal mean the same thing?

No, Personal relates to an individual, while Interpersonal concerns interactions between individuals.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Is a personal diary interpersonal?

Typically, a personal diary is private, focusing on individual experiences, not interpersonal ones.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Can someone have good personal skills but poor interpersonal skills?

Yes, someone might understand themselves well (personal) but struggle in interactions with others (interpersonal).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Can you have interpersonal feelings?

Yes, they'd be feelings about or between other people, like empathy or understanding.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Is communication an interpersonal skill?

Yes, communication is a key interpersonal skill, aiding interactions between people.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Are all interpersonal interactions verbal?

No, they can be non-verbal as well, such as through body language.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

How can one improve their interpersonal abilities?

Through communication training, empathy exercises, and actively building relationships.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Can personal preferences impact interpersonal dynamics?

Yes, individual likes and dislikes can influence group interactions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Is teamwork an interpersonal activity?

Absolutely, teamwork involves communication and collaboration between individuals.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Is personal growth related to interpersonal skills?

They can be linked. Personal growth can enhance one's interpersonal abilities and vice versa.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023

Can personal experiences shape interpersonal understanding?

Yes, personal experiences can influence how one relates to or understands others.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Can you have personal space in an interpersonal setting?

Yes, even in group settings, individuals might need personal space or boundaries.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023

Can personal achievements boost interpersonal relations?

Yes, personal success can positively affect one's interactions and relationships with others.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 07, 2023

Is self-reflection a personal or interpersonal activity?

It's personal, as it involves looking inwardly at one's own thoughts and feelings.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

Are all relationships interpersonal?

At their core, yes. Relationships involve interactions and connections between individuals.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

What's more critical, personal values or interpersonal harmony?

Both are important, and they often influence one another.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023

Is personal identity separate from interpersonal identity?

They're related but distinct. Personal identity is about self-perception, while interpersonal identity concerns how one fits within a group or relationship.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023

Do interpersonal conflicts always stem from personal issues?

Not always, but personal issues can be a factor in interpersonal conflicts.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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