Human vs. Man: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Human refers to a member of the species Homo sapiens, encompassing all genders, while man specifically denotes an adult male human.
Key Differences
Human is a general term for any individual of the species Homo sapiens, regardless of gender or age, whereas man specifically refers to an adult male of the human species. The word human encompasses a broad spectrum of individuals, while man is more narrowly defined by both age and gender.
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Nov 19, 2023
The term human is used in a wide variety of contexts, from scientific to philosophical, encompassing aspects of humanity as a whole. In contrast, the term man is often used in contexts specifically relating to adult male humans, focusing on aspects unique to this subgroup. Discussions about human evolution or human rights include all genders and ages, whereas discussions about men's health or men's roles in society specifically focus on adult males.
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Human rights are applicable to every person, regardless of their gender, whereas the term man may be used in contexts like gender studies, emphasizing gender-specific issues and perspectives. The concept of human rights is universal and inclusive, while references to men often pertain to gender-specific considerations.
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When discussing biological or anthropological aspects, human refers to traits or characteristics shared by all members of Homo sapiens. In contrast, the term man would focus on those biological or social traits specific to adult male humans. Biological studies on human anatomy cover both sexes, while studies on men might focus on male-specific anatomy or health issues.
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In cultural and societal discussions, human behavior refers to general patterns or traits observed across the species, whereas behavior attributed to men would be those patterns or traits typically associated with adult males. Cultural analyses might explore human nature in a broad sense, while analyses of men would delve into the social roles and behaviors more specific to male individuals.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A member of the species Homo sapiens, of any gender or age.
Specifically an adult male of the human species.
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Nov 19, 2023
Usage Context
Broad, covering all aspects of the species.
More specific, focusing on adult males.
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Rights and Issues
Encompasses universal rights and issues affecting all humans.
Focuses on gender-specific rights and issues of men.
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Biological Focus
Traits common to the entire human species.
Traits specific to adult male humans.
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Cultural Role
General patterns of behavior across the species.
Social roles and behaviors specific to men.
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Human and Man Definitions
Human
Characteristic of or relating to people.
Human nature is complex and varied.
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Man
Used to refer to mankind in general.
Man has always been fascinated by the stars.
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Human
Belonging to the species Homo sapiens.
Human evolution is a fascinating field of study.
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Man
An individual human male, especially as distinguished from a boy or a woman.
The young man just started his first job.
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Human
Relating to human society and its members.
Human behavior is influenced by both genetics and environment.
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Human
Pertaining to the study of mankind.
Human anthropology provides insights into cultural diversity.
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Human
A member of the primate genus Homo, especially a member of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished from other apes by a large brain and the capacity for speech.
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Man
A human or an adult male human belonging to a specific occupation, group, nationality, or other category. Often used in combination
A milkman.
A congressman.
A freeman.
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Human
Of, relating to, or characteristic of humans
The course of human events.
The human race.
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Man
A male human endowed with qualities, such as strength, considered characteristic of manhood.
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Human
Having or showing those positive aspects of nature and character regarded as distinguishing humans from other animals
An act of human kindness.
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Human
Subject to or indicative of the weaknesses, imperfections, and fragility associated with humans
A mistake that shows he's only human.
Human frailty.
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Human
(notcomp) Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives.
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Human
(comparable) Having the nature or attributes of a human being.
To err is human; to forgive, divine.
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Human
(narrowly) The tallest, most abundant and most intelligent of primates; Homo sapiens.
Humans share common ancestors with other apes.
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Man
(Informal) Used as a familiar form of address for a man
See here, my good man!.
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Human
(rare) To behave as or become, or to cause to behave as or become, a human.
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Man
(Games) Any of the pieces used in a board game, such as chess or checkers.
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Human
Belonging to man or mankind; having the qualities or attributes of a man; of or pertaining to man or to the race of man; as, a human voice; human shape; human nature; human sacrifices.
To err is human; to forgive, divine.
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Man
(Nautical) A ship. Often used in combination
A merchantman.
A man-of-war.
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Human
A human being.
Sprung of humans that inhabit earth.
We humans often find ourselves in strange position.
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Man
Often Man(Slang) A person or group felt to be in a position of power or authority. Used with the
"Their writing mainly concerns the street life—the pimp, the junky, the forces of drug addiction, exploitation at the hands of 'the man'" (Black World).
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Human
Relating to a person;
The experiment was conducted on 6 monkeys and 2 human subjects
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Human
Having human form or attributes as opposed to those of animals or divine beings;
Human beings
The human body
Human kindness
Human frailty
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Man
An adult male human.
The show is especially popular with middle-aged men.
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Human
Showing qualities like kindness or compassion, typical of people.
Her human touch in management wins her much respect.
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Man
A human, a person regardless of gender, usually an adult. See usage notes.
Every man for himself
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Man
(collective) All humans collectively: mankind, humankind, humanity. Sometimes capitalized as Man.
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Man
A male person, usually an adult; a (generally adult male) sentient being, whether human, supernatural, elf, alien, etc.
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Man
An adult male who has, to an eminent degree, qualities considered masculine, such as strength, integrity, and devotion to family; a mensch.
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Man
A male enthusiast or devotee; a male who is very fond of or devoted to a specified kind of thing. Used as the last element of a compound.
Some people prefer apple pie, but me, I’m a cherry pie man.
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Man
A person, usually male, who has duties or skills associated with a specified thing. Used as the last element of a compound.
I wanted to be a guitar man on a road tour, but instead I’m a flag man on a road crew.
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Man
A person, usually male, who can fulfill one's requirements with regard to a specified matter.
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Man
A male who belongs to a particular group: an employee, a student or alumnus, a representative, etc.
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Man
(sports) A player on whom another is playing, with the intent of limiting their attacking impact.
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Man
(transitive) To supply (something) with staff or crew (of either sex).
The ship was manned with a small crew.
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Man
(transitive) To take up position in order to operate (something).
Man the machine guns!
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Man
To brace (oneself), to fortify or steel (oneself) in a manly way. Compare man up.
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Man
To accustom (a raptor or other type of bird) to the presence of people.
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Man
A human being; - opposed to beast.
These men went about wide, and man found they none,But fair country, and wild beast many [a] one.
The king is but a man, as I am; the violet smells to him as it doth to me.
'Tain't a fit night out for man nor beast!
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Man
An adult male person; a grown-up male person, as distinguished from a woman or a child.
When I became a man, I put away childish things.
Ceneus, a woman once, and once a man.
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Man
The human race; mankind.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion.
The proper study of mankind is man.
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Man
The male portion of the human race.
Woman has, in general, much stronger propensity than man to the discharge of parental duties.
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Man
One possessing in a high degree the distinctive qualities of manhood; one having manly excellence of any kind.
This was the noblest Roman of them all . . . the elementsSo mixed in him that Nature might stand upAnd say to all the world "This was a man!"
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Man
An adult male servant; also, a vassal; a subject.
Like master, like man.
The vassal, or tenant, kneeling, ungirt, uncovered, and holding up his hands between those of his lord, professed that he did become his man from that day forth, of life, limb, and earthly honor.
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Man
A term of familiar address at one time implying on the part of the speaker some degree of authority, impatience, or haste; as, Come, man, we 've no time to lose! In the latter half of the 20th century it became used in a broader sense as simply a familiar and informal form of address, but is not used in business or formal situations; as, hey, man! You want to go to a movie tonight?.
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Man
A married man; a husband; - correlative to wife.
I pronounce that they are man and wife.
Every wife ought to answer for her man.
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Man
One, or any one, indefinitely; - a modified survival of the Saxon use of man, or mon, as an indefinite pronoun.
A man can not make him laugh.
A man would expect to find some antiquities; but all they have to show of this nature is an old rostrum of a Roman ship.
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Man
One of the piece with which certain games, as chess or draughts, are played.
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Man
To supply with men; to furnish with a sufficient force or complement of men, as for management, service, defense, or the like; to guard; as, to man a ship, boat, or fort.
See how the surly Warwick mans the wall !
They man their boats, and all their young men arm.
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Man
To furnish with strength for action; to prepare for efficiency; to fortify.
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Man
An adult male person (as opposed to a woman);
There were two women and six men on the bus
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Man
Someone who serves in the armed forces; a member of a military force;
Two men stood sentry duty
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Man
The generic use of the word to refer to any human being;
It was every man for himself
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Man
All of the inhabitants of the earth;
All the world loves a lover
She always used `humankind' because `mankind' seemed to slight the women
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Man
A male subordinate;
The chief stationed two men outside the building
He awaited word from his man in Havana
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Man
An adult male person who has a manly character (virile and courageous competent);
The army will make a man of you
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Man
A male person who plays a significant role (husband or lover or boyfriend) in the life of a particular woman;
She takes good care of her man
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Man
A manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer;
Jeeves was Bertie Wooster's man
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Man
Game equipment consisting of an object used in playing certain board games;
He taught me to set up the men on the chess board
He sacrificed a piece to get a strategic advantage
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Man
Take charge of a certain job; occupy a certain work place;
Mr. Smith manned the reception desk in the morning
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Man
An adult male human being.
The man won the award for his contributions to science.
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Man
A human male characterized by qualities traditionally associated with men.
He is known as a man of integrity.
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Man
A figure representing an adult male.
The statue depicts a man from ancient times.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is 'man' used in a biological context?
Often, to refer to adult male humans.
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Are there rights specific to men?
Some issues, like men's health, are specific to men.
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Nov 19, 2023
What is a human?
A member of the species Homo sapiens, of any gender or age.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are human behaviors gender-specific?
They can be, but often apply to all humans.
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What differentiates a boy from a man?
Age and maturity; a boy is typically younger.
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Can the term 'man' have cultural implications?
Yes, it can carry cultural meanings about male roles.
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How does society view human interactions?
As interactions among people of any gender.
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What are human rights?
Rights inherent to all humans, regardless of gender.
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Are men and women equally human?
Yes, they are equally members of the human species.
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Do men have unique human rights issues?
Some issues are more prevalent among men.
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Can human qualities be non-gendered?
Yes, many human qualities are universal.
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Are human societal roles gender-neutral?
They can be, though some roles are gender-specific.
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Is 'man' used symbolically in language?
Yes, sometimes to represent humanity.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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