relations between individuals; private interpersonal relations
Used in legal, academic, or formal contexts to contrast with relations involving organizations or the state. Often appears in phrases like 私人間の契約 (contract between private individuals).
A contract between private individuals is formed by the agreement of the parties.
This law does not apply to disputes between private individuals.
Compound of 私人 (しじん, 'private individual') + 間 (かん, 'between'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows a standard Sino-Japanese compounding pattern.