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B2 noun 11 Min. Lesezeit

le caractère

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At the A1 level, you should learn that 'le caractère' means 'personality' or 'temperament'. It is a masculine noun. You can use it in very simple sentences to describe yourself or others. For example, 'J'ai un bon caractère' (I have a good personality). You might also see it in the context of computer passwords, where it refers to a letter or number. Focus on the basic structure: Subject + avoir + un + adjective + caractère. It is important to remember that even if you are a girl, you say 'mon caractère' because the word itself is masculine. Do not worry about complex meanings yet; just think of it as the way a person is inside. You might use common adjectives like 'bon' (good), 'mauvais' (bad), or 'difficile' (difficult).

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'le caractère' to describe people in more detail. You will learn more adjectives to go with it, such as 'fort' (strong), 'timide' (shy), or 'joyeux' (happy). You should also learn the common expression 'avoir un sale caractère', which means to have a very bad temper or to be unpleasant. You might encounter the word in simple texts about famous people or in forms that ask for a 'nombre de caractères' (number of characters). You should start to distinguish between 'le caractère' (personality) and 'la caractéristique' (a specific feature). Practice saying sentences like 'Elle a un caractère très indépendant' to get used to the masculine agreement of the adjective with the noun 'caractère', even when the subject is feminine.

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At the B1 level, you should understand that 'le caractère' is not just about being 'nice' or 'mean', but about a person's deeper moral and mental qualities. You will learn phrases like 'un trait de caractère' (a character trait). You can use the word to discuss more abstract topics, like the 'caractère d'un lieu' (the character of a place) or the 'caractère d'une œuvre' (the character of a work of art). You should be comfortable using it with the verb 'forger' (to forge or build), as in 'les voyages forgent le caractère'. At this level, you must be very careful not to use 'caractère' when you mean a fictional character in a book or movie; for that, you must use 'un personnage'. You will also see 'caractère' used in more formal contexts, like describing the 'caractère obligatoire' (mandatory nature) of a rule.

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At the B2 level, which is the level for this word, you are expected to use 'le caractère' with nuance and precision. You should understand the idiomatic meaning of 'avoir du caractère', which implies strength of will, resilience, and integrity. You can use it to describe the essential quality of complex situations, such as the 'caractère confidentiel' of a meeting or the 'caractère précaire' of a job. You should be able to discuss the differences between 'caractère', 'personnalité', and 'tempérament' in a psychological context. In writing, you can use 'le caractère' to avoid repeating other words like 'aspect' or 'nature'. You should also be aware of the plural form 'les caractères' in the context of typography and the history of printing (e.g., 'caractères d'imprimerie'). This level requires you to handle the word in both professional and literary contexts.

At the C1 level, you should be able to use 'le caractère' in sophisticated academic or professional discussions. You might analyze the 'caractère intrinsèque' (intrinsic nature) of a philosophical argument or the 'caractère ambivalent' (ambivalent nature) of a political policy. You will encounter the word in classic literature, such as La Bruyère's 'Les Caractères', and be able to discuss how the meaning of the word has evolved or is used as a literary device. You should be able to use the word to describe subtle nuances in art, music, and wine (e.g., 'un vin avec du caractère'). Your use of the word should be fluid, and you should be able to explain the subtle differences between 'le caractère' and similar terms like 'l'essence', 'le génie' (in the sense of the spirit of a place), or 'le cachet'.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'le caractère' in all its forms. You can use it with precision in highly technical fields, such as linguistics (discussing 'caractères morphologiques'), law (discussing the 'caractère exécutoire' of a judgment), or computer science (discussing encoding of 'caractères spéciaux'). You can appreciate and use the word in its most abstract and metaphorical senses. You are aware of the historical etymology from the Greek 'kharaktēr' (an engraved mark) and how this concept of a 'mark' informs all its modern meanings. You can write long, complex essays where 'le caractère' is used to weave together psychological, social, and technical themes seamlessly. Your understanding is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

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Le caractère refers to a person's personality, temperament, or moral strength.
It is a masculine noun (un caractère) and must agree with masculine adjectives.
It also means a typographic symbol, letter, or digital character.
Crucially, it is NOT used for a fictional character (which is 'un personnage').

The French noun le caractère is a multifaceted term that primarily refers to the psychological and moral identity of an individual. Unlike the English word 'character' which can often refer to a person in a fictional story (a role better filled by the French word le personnage), le caractère describes the intrinsic nature, temperament, and enduring traits that define how a person reacts to the world around them. It is the sum of mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. In a broader sense, it can also refer to the essential quality of a thing, a place, or a situation, such as the 'sacred character' of a monument. Furthermore, it maintains a technical meaning in the world of typography and computing, referring to a single letter, number, or symbol used in writing or printing.

Psychological Temperament: This refers to the stable traits of a person. For example, someone might have a 'strong character' (un fort caractère) or a 'difficult character' (un caractère difficile).

Elle a un caractère bien trempé, ce qui lui permet de ne jamais abandonner face aux obstacles.

Moral Strength: In this context, having 'caractère' implies resilience, integrity, and the courage to stand by one's convictions regardless of external pressure.

Il faut avoir du caractère pour dire la vérité quand tout le monde ment.

When discussing typography, the word refers to the physical or digital representation of a glyph. In the age of digital communication, we often talk about the number of 'caractères' allowed in a social media post. This dual meaning—one deeply human and psychological, the other technical and symbolic—makes it a cornerstone of the French vocabulary. In professional settings, 'le caractère' is often analyzed during recruitment to ensure a candidate's personality aligns with the company culture. In literature, while the 'personnages' are the actors, their 'caractère' is what drives the plot forward through their decisions and emotional responses. Understanding the nuances of this word allows for a deeper appreciation of how French speakers categorize human behavior and technical symbols under one conceptual umbrella of 'distinctive marks'.

Ce document contient trop de caractères spéciaux pour être lu correctement par le logiciel.

Distinctive Nature: Used to describe the essential quality of an object or concept. For example, the 'urgent character' of a request (le caractère urgent d'une demande).

Le caractère exceptionnel de cette découverte a surpris toute la communauté scientifique.

Mon voisin a un sale caractère, il se plaint toujours du bruit.

Using le caractère effectively requires an understanding of its common syntactic patterns and the adjectives that typically accompany it. In French, adjectives describing a person's character usually follow the noun. For instance, you would say 'un caractère difficile' (a difficult personality) or 'un caractère joyeux' (a cheerful personality). The noun is masculine, so all associated adjectives and articles must reflect this gender. When you want to say someone has a certain type of personality, the verb avoir is the standard choice. Interestingly, when you say someone 'a du caractère', without a qualifying adjective, it is almost always a compliment, implying they have a strong will, resilience, or a distinct and impressive personality.

Descriptive Phrases: Commonly used with adjectives like 'fort' (strong), 'faible' (weak), 'souple' (flexible), or 'ombrageux' (touchy/moody).

Malgré son caractère timide, elle a réussi à faire un discours devant des centaines de personnes.

The 'De' Construction: Used to specify the nature of a situation or object. For example, 'un trait de caractère' (a character trait).

La patience est un trait de caractère essentiel pour travailler avec les enfants.

In more formal or literary French, le caractère can be used to denote the essence of a period or a style. One might speak of the 'caractère gothique' of a cathedral. In legal or administrative language, it describes the status of a document, such as 'le caractère confidentiel' (the confidential nature). It is also used in the plural, les caractères, specifically when referring to the letters of an alphabet or the physical metal blocks used in traditional printing presses. For example, 'les caractères d'imprimerie' refers to printing type. In everyday conversation, the most frequent usage remains centered on human behavior, often used with the verb 'forger' (to forge/shape), as in 'les épreuves forgent le caractère' (hardships build character).

L'avocat a souligné le caractère illégal de cette perquisition.

Avoir du caractère: A common idiom meaning to have strength of personality or to be assertive.

On peut dire ce qu'on veut d'elle, mais elle a du caractère.

Ce vin a beaucoup de caractère, il est très boisé et puissant.

The word le caractère is ubiquitous in French life, appearing in contexts ranging from casual gossip to high-level academic discourse. In the domestic sphere, parents might discuss the 'caractère' of their children, noting how one is 'facile' (easy-going) while the other is 'têtu' (stubborn). In schools, teachers might comment on a student's 'caractère' in progress reports, though they often use more specific terms like 'comportement' (behavior) or 'attitude'. In the workplace, 'le caractère' is a frequent topic during performance reviews or when discussing team dynamics. A manager might say that a certain project requires someone with a 'caractère affirmé' (a bold personality) to lead it effectively.

In the Media: Journalists use 'caractère' to describe the nature of events, such as 'le caractère inédit' (the unprecedented nature) of a political crisis.

Le présentateur a insisté sur le caractère exceptionnel de la canicule cette année.

In Literature and Art: Critics analyze the 'caractère' of a work, meaning its distinctive style or the psychological depth of its figures.

Le caractère mélancolique de ses peintures touche beaucoup le public.

In the culinary world, 'le caractère' is used to describe foods and drinks with strong, distinctive flavors. A sommelier might describe a red wine as having 'beaucoup de caractère', or a cheesemonger might say the same about a well-aged Roquefort. This usage mirrors the idea of a 'strong personality'—something that is not bland or generic. In psychological and philosophical texts, 'le caractère' is a technical term used to discuss the permanent traits of the human soul or mind. Jean de La Bruyère's famous 17th-century work, Les Caractères, is a classic of French literature that provides satirical sketches of the different 'types' of people in society, cementing the word's importance in French cultural history. Whether you are reading a technical manual, a wine list, or a classic novel, you are bound to encounter this versatile word.

Ce fromage a un caractère très affirmé, il ne plaira pas à tout le monde.

Legal and Official Documents: Terms like 'caractère obligatoire' (mandatory nature) or 'caractère privé' (private nature) are standard in French law.

La loi souligne le caractère sacré de la vie privée.

Il a fallu un caractère de fer pour mener à bien cette mission périlleuse.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is using le caractère when they should use le personnage. In English, 'character' serves both for a person's personality and for a fictional figure in a book or movie. In French, these concepts are strictly separated. If you say 'Mon caractère préféré dans Harry Potter est Hermione,' you are technically saying 'My favorite personality trait in Harry Potter is Hermione,' which makes no sense. The correct sentence would be 'Mon personnage préféré...'. Another common pitfall is the confusion between 'le caractère' and 'la caractéristique'. While 'caractère' refers to the general temperament or essence, 'caractéristique' refers to a specific, often physical or technical, distinguishing feature of an object or person.

False Cognate: Character in Fiction: Always use 'personnage' for fictional beings. Use 'caractère' for their personality traits.

Ce personnage de roman a un caractère très complexe et sombre.

Caractère vs. Caractéristique: 'Caractère' is the essence; 'caractéristique' is a specific detail or spec.

La caractéristique principale de ce téléphone est son écran pliable.

Furthermore, learners often struggle with the idiomatic use of 'avoir du caractère'. They might translate 'he has a lot of character' as 'il a beaucoup de caractère', which is fine, but they might miss the nuance that 'il a du caractère' on its own is a strong statement about someone's willpower. Another error involves the plural form. While 'caractères' is used for letters and symbols, it is rarely used in the plural to describe a single person's personality traits; instead, we use 'traits de caractère'. Using 'ses caractères' to mean 'his personality traits' sounds unnatural; 'ses traits de caractère' is the correct phrasing. Finally, remember that when describing a person's nature using 'caractère', the adjective must agree with the masculine noun, even if the person being described is female.

Elle a un caractère bien affirmé (masculine adjective for a female subject).

Incorrect Pluralization: Avoid saying 'elle a plusieurs caractères'. Say 'elle a plusieurs traits de caractère'.

Son principal trait de caractère est sa générosité sans limites.

C'est une erreur de dire qu'il a un bon caractère si vous voulez dire qu'il est célèbre.

To truly master the semantic field of le caractère, one must understand its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. The most common alternative is la personnalité. While often interchangeable, 'personnalité' is a broader term that encompasses social behavior, appearance, and public persona, whereas 'caractère' is often seen as more internal and fundamental. Another close term is le tempérament, which usually refers to the biological or innate predispositions of a person (e.g., a 'nervous temperament'). Then there is la nature, used to describe the essential, unchanging qualities of a person or thing, as in 'c'est dans sa nature' (it is in their nature).

Caractère vs. Personnalité: 'Caractère' is the moral/mental core; 'personnalité' is the overall psychological makeup and social expression.

Il a une personnalité extravertie, mais son caractère est très rigoureux.

Caractère vs. Tempérament: 'Tempérament' is often seen as the physiological basis of personality, while 'caractère' is shaped by experience and will.

Son tempérament anxieux le rend nerveux avant chaque examen.

When discussing the 'character' of a place or a situation, alternatives include l'atmosphère (atmosphere), le cachet (charm/distinctive style), or l'identité (identity). For example, a house with 'beaucoup de caractère' could also be described as having 'beaucoup de cachet'. In professional contexts, when referring to the 'character' of a document, words like la teneur (the content/tenor) or la portée (the scope) might be more precise. In the realm of typography, 'police' (font) and 'fonte' (typeface) are related but distinct from 'caractère' (the individual glyph). Understanding these nuances helps a speaker choose the word that best fits the level of formality and the specific meaning they wish to convey, moving beyond basic vocabulary to a more sophisticated level of expression.

Cette vieille maison en pierre a un cachet incroyable que les constructions modernes n'ont pas.

Caractère vs. Nature: 'Nature' is used for the innate, often unchangeable essence of a being or thing.

Il est de nature généreuse, il donne sans compter.

L'aspect psychologique de l'affaire est primordial pour comprendre le mobile.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"Le caractère impérieux de cette réforme suscite des débats."

Neutral

"C'est un homme qui a beaucoup de caractère."

Informell

"T'as vraiment un sale caractère aujourd'hui !"

Child friendly

"Le petit chat a un caractère très joueur."

Umgangssprache

"Il a un caractère de ouf."

Wusstest du?

The evolution from 'engraved mark' to 'personality' is because your character is seen as the 'mark' or 'stamp' that life and nature have left on your soul.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ka.ʁak.tɛʁ/

US /ka.ʁak.tɛʁ/

Even stress on all syllables, with a slight rise on the final 'tère'.

Reimt sich auf

père mère frère mer fer clair air hier

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'c' at the end (the 'e' is silent, but the 'r' is heard).
Using an English 'r' instead of the French uvular 'r'.
Stressing the first syllable like in English 'character'.
Pronouncing the 'ai' sound too much like 'ay' instead of 'eh'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 't' clearly.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize, but nuances in formal texts can be tricky.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires careful adjective agreement and avoidance of the 'personnage' trap.

Sprechen 3/5

Pronunciation of the 'r' sounds is the main hurdle.

Hören 2/5

Very common word, usually easy to hear in context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

avoir personne bon mauvais lettre

Als Nächstes lernen

personnalité tempérament personnage comportement attitude

Fortgeschritten

idiosyncrasie mœurs éthos naturel psyché

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective agreement with masculine nouns

Même pour une femme, on dit 'un caractère fort'.

Use of the partitive 'du' with abstract qualities

Il a du caractère (He has some [strength of] character).

Position of adjectives

Un caractère [difficile] - the adjective usually follows.

Possessive adjective agreement

Son caractère (his or her personality).

Pluralization of regular nouns ending in -e

Un caractère -> des caractères.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Il a un bon caractère.

He has a good personality.

Subject + verb 'avoir' + adjective + 'caractère'.

Mon caractère est calme.

My personality is calm.

Possessive adjective 'mon' is masculine because 'caractère' is masculine.

Quel est ton caractère ?

What is your personality like?

Interrogative 'quel' is masculine singular.

Le mot a huit caractères.

The word has eight characters.

Plural use referring to letters.

Elle a un caractère joyeux.

She has a cheerful personality.

Adjective 'joyeux' stays masculine to agree with 'caractère'.

C'est un caractère difficile.

It is a difficult personality.

Use of 'c'est' to introduce the noun phrase.

J'aime son caractère.

I like his/her personality.

Possessive 'son' can mean his or her.

Un petit caractère.

A small character (letter).

Masculine adjective 'petit'.

Mon frère a un sale caractère le matin.

My brother has a bad temper in the morning.

Idiom 'avoir un sale caractère'.

Elle est timide, c'est son caractère.

She is shy, it's her personality.

Explaining behavior through 'caractère'.

Il faut taper dix caractères pour le mot de passe.

You need to type ten characters for the password.

Technical use for symbols.

Ce chien a un caractère très doux.

This dog has a very gentle temperament.

Using 'caractère' for animals.

Nous avons des caractères très différents.

We have very different personalities.

Plural agreement of the adjective 'différents'.

Il a un caractère de cochon !

He is very grumpy / has a foul temper!

Common informal idiom.

Elle a un caractère bien affirmé pour son âge.

She has a very strong personality for her age.

Adjective 'affirmé' (assertive/strong).

Le caractère de mon père est sérieux.

My father's personality is serious.

Genitive construction with 'de'.

La patience est un de ses traits de caractère.

Patience is one of his/her character traits.

Expression 'trait de caractère'.

Les épreuves de la vie forgent le caractère.

The trials of life build character.

Verb 'forger' used metaphorically.

Cette ville a gardé son caractère médiéval.

This city has kept its medieval character.

Using 'caractère' for a place's essence.

Il a du caractère, il ne se laisse pas faire.

He has strength of character; he doesn't let himself be pushed around.

Partitive 'du' implies a positive quality of strength.

Le caractère obligatoire de cette règle est clair.

The mandatory nature of this rule is clear.

Abstract usage for the nature of something.

Elle a un caractère indépendant et fier.

She has an independent and proud personality.

Multiple adjectives modifying 'caractère'.

Ce livre analyse le caractère de Napoléon.

This book analyzes Napoleon's character.

Historical/biographical analysis.

Il y a des caractères spéciaux dans ce texte.

There are special characters in this text.

Technical use in computing.

Son caractère bien trempé lui a permis de réussir.

Her strong/tempered character allowed her to succeed.

Idiom 'caractère bien trempé'.

Le caractère confidentiel du dossier doit être respecté.

The confidential nature of the file must be respected.

Formal usage in a professional context.

C'est un vin qui a beaucoup de caractère.

It's a wine that has a lot of character.

Usage in gastronomy/oenology.

Le caractère sacré de ce lieu impose le silence.

The sacred nature of this place requires silence.

Describing the essence of a location.

Il a agi par simple trait de caractère, sans réfléchir.

He acted out of a simple character trait, without thinking.

Prepositional phrase 'par... trait de caractère'.

Le caractère d'imprimerie utilisé est très élégant.

The printing typeface used is very elegant.

Specific technical term for typography.

On reconnaît le caractère d'un homme dans l'adversité.

One recognizes a man's character in adversity.

Philosophical observation.

L'urgence de la situation souligne son caractère critique.

The urgency of the situation highlights its critical nature.

Abstract noun usage.

L'auteur explore le caractère ambivalent de la condition humaine.

The author explores the ambivalent nature of the human condition.

High-level literary analysis.

Le caractère exécutoire de la décision ne fait aucun doute.

The enforceable nature of the decision is beyond doubt.

Legal terminology.

Cette œuvre possède un caractère intrinsèquement révolutionnaire.

This work possesses an intrinsically revolutionary character.

Adverbial modification of the noun phrase.

Il a su préserver le caractère authentique de la demeure.

He managed to preserve the authentic character of the residence.

Nuanced description of preservation.

Le caractère éphémère de la gloire est un thème récurrent.

The fleeting nature of glory is a recurring theme.

Philosophical/Literary theme.

Son caractère ombrageux rend les négociations difficiles.

His touchy/suspicious nature makes negotiations difficult.

Precise adjective 'ombrageux'.

Le texte est composé en caractères romains classiques.

The text is set in classic Roman characters.

Specific typographic reference.

La mesure revêt un caractère exceptionnel et temporaire.

The measure takes on an exceptional and temporary character.

Formal administrative style.

La Bruyère dépeint les caractères de son siècle avec ironie.

La Bruyère depicts the characters (types) of his century with irony.

Reference to classical literature.

Le caractère immuable des lois de la physique est ici remis en question.

The immutable nature of the laws of physics is being questioned here.

Scientific/Philosophical discourse.

L'herméneutique s'intéresse au caractère polysémique des textes.

Hermeneutics is interested in the polysemic nature of texts.

Academic/Specialized vocabulary.

Il y a une dichotomie entre son caractère public et sa vie privée.

There is a dichotomy between his public character and his private life.

Sophisticated psychological contrast.

Le caractère spécieux de son argument n'a pas échappé à l'auditoire.

The specious nature of his argument did not escape the audience.

Precise vocabulary for logical fallacies.

Le caractère protéiforme de cette maladie complique le diagnostic.

The protean nature of this disease complicates the diagnosis.

Medical/Scientific usage.

La police de caractères influence la lisibilité du document.

The typeface (font) influences the readability of the document.

Modern typographic terminology.

Le caractère inaliénable des droits de l'homme est fondamental.

The inalienable nature of human rights is fundamental.

Legal/Political philosophy.

Häufige Kollokationen

un fort caractère

un trait de caractère

avoir du caractère

un sale caractère

caractère d'imprimerie

caractère spécial

caractère sacré

caractère obligatoire

forger le caractère

caractère bien trempé

Häufige Phrasen

C'est une question de caractère.

— It is a matter of personality or temperament. Used to explain why someone acts a certain way.

Il est têtu, c'est une question de caractère.

Il a un caractère de cochon.

— He has a very bad temper or is very grumpy. This is a very common informal expression.

Fais attention, le patron a un caractère de cochon aujourd'hui.

Un homme de caractère.

— A man of strong will and integrity. Usually used as high praise.

C'était un homme de caractère qui n'a jamais trahi ses amis.

Le caractère d'urgence.

— The urgent nature of a situation. Used in administrative or professional contexts.

Le caractère d'urgence de la situation justifie ces mesures.

Avoir un petit caractère.

— To be easily annoyed or to have a bit of a temper (often said of children).

Ma petite-fille a déjà un petit caractère !

En gros caractères.

— In large print or large letters. Often seen in books for children or the visually impaired.

Ce dictionnaire est écrit en gros caractères.

Perdre son caractère.

— To lose its distinctive quality or charm. Often said of a place that has been renovated poorly.

Le village a perdu son caractère avec toutes ces nouvelles constructions.

Le caractère privé.

— The private nature of something. Used to discuss privacy and confidentiality.

Il a insisté sur le caractère privé de leur conversation.

Changer de caractère.

— To undergo a change in personality or temperament, often due to life events.

Depuis son accident, il a beaucoup changé de caractère.

Un caractère de chien.

— Similar to 'caractère de cochon', it means to have a very bad temper.

Elle a un caractère de chien quand elle a faim.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

le caractère vs personnage

English speakers use 'character' for both. French uses 'personnage' for fictional people and 'caractère' for personality.

le caractère vs caractéristique

A 'caractéristique' is a specific feature or technical spec, while 'caractère' is the general nature or temperament.

le caractère vs réputation

Sometimes 'character' in English means reputation. In French, use 'réputation'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Avoir du caractère"

— To have a strong personality, resilience, and the courage of one's convictions.

Elle a du caractère, elle ne se laisse pas influencer.

neutral

"Avoir un caractère de cochon"

— To be very grumpy, ill-tempered, or difficult to deal with.

Mon grand-père avait un caractère de cochon mais il était généreux.

informal

"Avoir un caractère bien trempé"

— To have a very strong, resilient, and determined personality (like steel that has been tempered).

Il faut un caractère bien trempé pour être pompier.

neutral

"Les voyages forgent le caractère"

— Traveling builds character and broadens the mind.

Laisse-le partir un an à l'étranger, les voyages forgent le caractère.

neutral

"Avoir un caractère de chien"

— To have a foul temper or to be very unpleasant.

Le concierge a un caractère de chien.

informal

"Un trait de caractère"

— A specific feature of one's personality.

La franchise est son principal trait de caractère.

neutral

"En caractères d'or"

— Literally 'in golden letters', used metaphorically for something that deserves to be remembered forever.

Son nom sera inscrit en caractères d'or dans l'histoire.

literary

"Manquer de caractère"

— To lack strength of will or to be easily influenced; to be weak-willed.

Il manque de caractère pour diriger une telle équipe.

neutral

"Sortir de son caractère"

— To act in a way that is unusual for one's normal personality (often to lose one's temper).

Il est d'habitude si calme, il est vraiment sorti de son caractère aujourd'hui.

neutral

"Avoir un caractère entier"

— To have a personality that does not compromise; to be uncompromising or blunt.

Elle a un caractère entier, elle déteste les demi-mesures.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

le caractère vs personnage

Direct translation of 'character' in stories.

Personnage is the 'who', Caractère is the 'how they are'.

Ce personnage a un mauvais caractère.

le caractère vs caractéristique

Similar root and meaning in English.

Caractéristique is a detail; Caractère is the essence.

Le caractère de ce bois est sa dureté, une de ses caractéristiques est sa couleur rouge.

le caractère vs humeur

Both relate to feelings.

Humeur is temporary (mood); Caractère is permanent (personality).

Il est de bonne humeur, malgré son caractère difficile.

le caractère vs nature

Both describe the essence.

Nature is more innate/biological; Caractère can be forged.

Sa nature est d'être calme, mais il a dû forger son caractère pour le travail.

le caractère vs lettre

Both used in writing.

Lettre is specifically A-Z; Caractère includes numbers, punctuation, and symbols.

Ce mot contient cinq lettres et un caractère spécial.

Satzmuster

J'ai un caractère [adjectif].

J'ai un caractère calme.

Il/Elle a un sale caractère.

Mon frère a un sale caractère.

C'est un trait de caractère typique de [personne].

C'est un trait de caractère typique de ma mère.

[Sujet] forge le caractère.

Le sport forge le caractère.

Avoir du caractère pour [faire quelque chose].

Il faut avoir du caractère pour dire non.

Le caractère [adjectif] de [nom].

Le caractère confidentiel de la réunion.

Revêtir un caractère [adjectif].

Cette affaire revêt un caractère politique.

Dépouiller [quelque chose] de son caractère [adjectif].

On a dépouillé le rituel de son caractère sacré.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

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So verwendest du es

frequency

High. It is one of the most common nouns in the French language due to its multiple meanings.

Häufige Fehler

Mon caractère préféré dans ce film est... → Mon personnage préféré dans ce film est...
You are talking about a person in a story, so you must use 'personnage'.
Elle a une caractère forte. → Elle a un caractère fort.
'Caractère' is masculine, so the article and adjective must be masculine.
Le mot de passe doit avoir huit lettres. → Le mot de passe doit avoir huit caractères.
Passwords usually include numbers and symbols, which are 'caractères', not just 'lettres'.
C'est un caractère intéressant. → C'est un original / C'est quelqu'un d'intéressant.
You cannot use 'un caractère' to refer to an eccentric person in French.
Ses caractères sont la patience et la bonté. → Ses traits de caractère sont la patience et la bonté.
Use 'traits de caractère' when listing specific personality features.

Tipps

Masculine Agreement

Always keep adjectives masculine with 'caractère'. Even if the person is female, it's 'un caractère bien trempé'.

Caractère vs Personnage

This is the #1 mistake. Use 'personnage' for fictional people. Use 'caractère' for personality.

Sale Caractère

'Sale' means dirty, but 'un sale caractère' means a bad temper. It's very common.

Digital Counting

In IT, 'caractère' is used for counting symbols, not just letters. This includes spaces!

Avoir DU caractère

Using the partitive 'du' makes it a positive quality of strength and resilience.

La Bruyère

If you want to impress a French person, mention 'Les Caractères' by La Bruyère when discussing personalities.

Trait de caractère

Use 'un trait de caractère' instead of just 'un caractère' when identifying a specific quality like 'honesty'.

Pronunciation

Make sure the final 'r' is heard. It's not 'caracté', it's 'caractère'.

Nature of things

Use 'le caractère [adjectif] de...' to describe the essence of a project or document.

The 'Mark' Mnemonic

Think of the word as a 'mark' made on someone's soul or a 'mark' made on paper.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Character' in a book. While in English it means the person, in French it's the 'mark' (caractère) of their personality. A 'Character' has a 'Caractère'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a printing press stamping a letter onto a person's forehead. That stamp is their 'caractère'—both the symbol and their personality.

Word Web

personnalité tempérament lettre symbole force nature imprimerie traits

Herausforderung

Try to describe three people you know using the phrase 'Il/Elle a un caractère...' followed by a different adjective for each.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin 'character', which itself comes from the Ancient Greek 'kharaktēr' (χαρακτήρ).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: In Greek, it meant an engraved mark, a brand, or a distinctive token. It comes from 'kharassein' meaning 'to engrave'.

Indo-European, Hellenic to Latin to Romance.

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'caractériel'. While it comes from 'caractère', it often implies someone has psychological or behavioral problems and can be quite offensive if used lightly.

English speakers often say 'He is a real character' to mean someone is funny or eccentric. In French, you would say 'C'est un numéro' or 'C'est un original', not 'C'est un caractère'.

Les Caractères by Jean de La Bruyère (Book) Le Caractère de la femme (Poem/Theme in literature) Caractères (Famous French literary TV show hosted by Bernard Pivot)

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Describing a friend

Il a un caractère facile.
On a le même caractère.
C'est un trait de caractère chez lui.
Elle a beaucoup de caractère.

Computing / Passwords

Huit caractères minimum.
Ajoutez un caractère spécial.
Nombre de caractères restants.
Chaîne de caractères.

Professional Reviews

Un caractère affirmé.
Manque de caractère.
Le caractère confidentiel du projet.
Il a du caractère.

Art and Wine

Un vin de caractère.
Le caractère de l'œuvre.
Beaucoup de caractère.
Un style avec du caractère.

Legal/Official

Caractère obligatoire.
Caractère privé.
Caractère d'urgence.
Le caractère de la loi.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Est-ce que tu penses avoir le même caractère que tes parents ?"

"Quel est le trait de caractère que tu apprécies le plus chez un ami ?"

"Penses-tu que les voyages forgent vraiment le caractère ?"

"Est-ce difficile de vivre avec quelqu'un qui a un sale caractère ?"

"Quel personnage de film a le caractère le plus intéressant selon toi ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris ton propre caractère en utilisant cinq adjectifs différents. Explique pourquoi tu as choisi ces mots.

Penses-tu que ton caractère a changé au cours des cinq dernières années ? Quels événements l'ont influencé ?

Parle d'une personne que tu admires pour son caractère. Quelles qualités possède-t-elle ?

Est-il plus important d'avoir du caractère ou d'être gentil ? Développe ton opinion.

Décris le caractère de ta ville ou de ton quartier. Qu'est-ce qui le rend unique ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you must use 'personnage'. 'Caractère' only refers to the personality of that movie figure, not the figure themselves.

Yes, 'le caractère' is always masculine, even if you are describing a woman. You would say 'Elle a un caractère fort' (not forte).

They are very similar. 'Caractère' often refers to moral and mental qualities, while 'personnalité' is a broader term for a person's entire psychological and social presence.

You can say 'Il a un mauvais caractère' or, more idiomatically, 'Il a un sale caractère'.

It means to have a strong personality, resilience, and the ability to stand up for oneself. It's usually a compliment.

Yes, 'police de caractères' is the term for a font, and 'caractères' refers to the letters and symbols themselves.

It translates to 'a character trait', like being patient, honest, or brave.

It describes a child who has behavioral or temperamental difficulties. It's a more medical or psychological term.

Yes, 'un vin qui a du caractère' means it has a strong, distinctive, and memorable flavor.

No. To mean someone is an eccentric 'character', you should say 'C'est un original' or 'C'est un numéro'.

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