How to say "individuality" in Japanese

• 個性こせいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers individuality as the distinctive traits that make a person unlike anyone else, including quirks and idiosyncrasies. This is the word you want for praising or respecting someone's individuality, as teachers do with students.
  彼かれはすばらしい個性こせいを持もっている。↗

  He has a wonderful personality.
• 人格じんかくJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounFor 'individuality' this is seldom the word you want: it really means a person's character or personality as a whole, or personhood in ethical and legal contexts. Choose it when 'individuality' amounts to 'character'.
  それは彼かれの人格じんかくを阻害そがいすることになる。↗

  It runs against his character.
• パーソナリティーCommon
  nounThe loanword from 'personality'. It is at home in psychological contexts and can also mean individuality, often suggesting a pronounced, engaging personality; for plain individuality, 個性 is the usual choice.

For individuality as the distinctive traits that set a person apart, use 個性; 人格 means character or personhood as a whole; and 「パーソナリティー」, the loanword, chiefly means personality, especially in psychological contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 個性こせいindividuality
• 人格じんかくpersonality
• パーソナリティーpersonality
• 個人性こじんせいindividuality
• 自分らしさじぶんらしさindividuality
• 個体性こたいせいindividuality
• 独自色どくじしょくuniqueness
• 独自性どくじせいoriginality