Signification
To show determination or strong will.
Contexte culturel
In Russian sports, 'показать характер' is the highest compliment. It is often used when a team is technically weaker but wins through sheer willpower. Parents often use this phrase to describe the 'terrible twos' or teenage rebellion, viewing it as a natural but difficult part of growing up. In modern Russian business, showing character is increasingly valued as a sign of leadership, though it still clashes with older, more hierarchical Soviet-style management. Classic 19th-century literature often explores the 'Russian character' as something that is revealed only in moments of extreme suffering or moral choice.
Use the Perfective for Praise
If you want to praise someone for a specific brave act, use 'показал' (perfective). It sounds more impactful.
Watch the Tone
Be careful using this with your boss. Saying 'Я показываю характер' might sound like you are being intentionally difficult.
Signification
To show determination or strong will.
Use the Perfective for Praise
If you want to praise someone for a specific brave act, use 'показал' (perfective). It sounds more impactful.
Watch the Tone
Be careful using this with your boss. Saying 'Я показываю характер' might sound like you are being intentionally difficult.
The 'Teeth' Alternative
If someone is being bullied and finally fights back, 'показать зубы' is often more natural than 'показать характер'.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form of the verb for a completed action in the past.
Вчера на собрании Иван ________ характер и не согласился с боссом.
We use the perfective 'показал' because it refers to a specific, completed event in the past.
Fill in the missing word in the phrase.
Спортсмен должен уметь показывать ________, чтобы победить.
The standard collocation is 'показывать характер'.
Match the sentence to the context.
Sentence: 'Хватит показывать характер, просто надень шапку!'
This is a typical phrase a parent says to a stubborn child.
Complete the dialogue.
— Ты видел, как она ответила директору? — Да, она наконец-то ________.
The phrase 'показала характер' fits the context of standing up to a superior.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesВчера на собрании Иван ________ характер и не согласился с боссом.
We use the perfective 'показал' because it refers to a specific, completed event in the past.
Спортсмен должен уметь показывать ________, чтобы победить.
The standard collocation is 'показывать характер'.
Sentence: 'Хватит показывать характер, просто надень шапку!'
This is a typical phrase a parent says to a stubborn child.
— Ты видел, как она ответила директору? — Да, она наконец-то ________.
The phrase 'показала характер' fits the context of standing up to a superior.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot always. While it often means grit and resilience (good), it can also mean being stubborn or difficult (bad), especially in children or subordinates.
Yes! It's very common to say a dog or a horse 'показывает характер' if they are being disobedient or feisty.
'Проявить' is more formal and usually refers to a positive manifestation of strength. 'Показывать' is more common in everyday speech.
Yes, adding 'мой' (my) or 'свой' (one's own) is very common and adds emphasis.
Yes, to describe someone who is firm in negotiations or stands up for their team.
No. 'Being a character' (an eccentric person) is 'быть оригиналом' or 'быть чудаком' in Russian.
Yes, 'показал характер' is very common for describing past events.
No, it's a standard collocation used in all levels of society.
You can say 'Не надо показывать характер' or 'Хватит показывать характер'.
Not a direct one, but you can talk about 'проявление характера' (manifestation of character).
Expressions liées
проявить характер
similarTo manifest character
показать зубы
specialized formTo show teeth
настоять на своём
similarTo insist on one's way
сломать характер
contrastTo break someone's character/will
человек с характером
builds onA person with character
