Translation guide
The English phrase "private use" can refer to personal, non-commercial use of something, or to a facility or item reserved for a specific person or group. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this depends on the context. For personal use, 私用 (しよう) is the standard term. For exclusive or reserved use, 専用 (せんよう) is used. Other expressions like 個人使用 (こじんしよう) or 自家用 (じかよう) are more specific.
Use for oneself, not for business or public purposes.
Something designated for a particular person, group, or purpose, not shared with others.
私用 (しよう) is about the purpose of use (personal vs. business), while 専用 (せんよう) is about exclusivity (reserved for a specific person/group). For example, a company phone used for personal calls is 私用, but a phone assigned to a specific employee is 専用.
Avoid directly translating 'private use' as プライベート使用 in formal contexts. It can sound unnatural. Use 私用 or 個人使用 instead.
Please do not use this copier for private use.
会社の車を私用で使うのは禁止されています。
Using the company car for private use is prohibited.
Literally 'individual use', often used in legal or formal contexts to emphasize personal, non-commercial use.
このソフトウェアは個人使用に限り無料です。
This software is free for personal use only.
A loanword expression, 'private na shiyou', used in casual contexts but less common than 私用.
これはプライベートな使用のためのものです。
This is for private use.
Means 'exclusive use' or 'dedicated'. Commonly used for facilities, parking, lanes, etc.
ここは社長専用の駐車場です。
This is a parking space for the exclusive use of the president.
このトイレは女性専用です。
This restroom is for women only.
Means 'private ownership'. Used for property, land, etc., emphasizing that it is privately owned, not public.
この土地は私有地です。
This land is private property.
Means 'for private/family use', often used for vehicles (自家用車) or consumption (自家用野菜).
自家用車で通勤しています。
I commute by private car.