Subjective means based on personal feelings, opinions, or perspectives rather than facts that everyone can agree on. When something is subjective, different people might see it differently, and nobody's view is necessarily wrong.

Whether vanilla or chocolate tastes better is subjective: it depends on who's tasting. Whether water boils at 100 degrees Celsius is objective: it's a fact anyone can measure. When your teacher asks “What's the theme of this story?” the answer is somewhat subjective because readers might interpret it differently. But when she asks “How many pages is this book?” the answer is objective.

Much of what makes life interesting is subjective. Music, art, food, even what makes a joke funny: these depend on individual taste and experience. Two people can watch the same movie and have completely different reactions, both perfectly valid.

Your subjective experience of a cold winter day differs from your friend's: you might love the snow while they prefer summer. Understanding that something is subjective helps us respect different viewpoints. When you say “that painting is ugly,” you're stating a subjective opinion. When you say “I don't care for that painting,” you're being clearer about whose perspective you're sharing.