Explanation at your level:
Character is who you are inside. It is if you are nice, honest, and good. You have a good character if you tell the truth.
Your character is your personality and your values. For example, if you help friends, you have a kind character. It is important to be a good person.
In English, character describes the moral qualities of a person. We often say someone has 'strong character' if they stay honest when it is difficult. It can also mean a person in a story.
Character refers to the distinctive mental and moral qualities of an individual. It is often used to discuss integrity. In fiction, it refers to the participants in a narrative, such as a protagonist or antagonist.
The term encompasses the sum of an individual's moral and ethical attributes. It is frequently used in academic discourse to analyze the development of identity. It implies a consistency of behavior that defines one's reputation.
Etymologically derived from the Greek for 'engraving,' character denotes the indelible impression of one's values. It represents the intersection of innate disposition and cultivated virtue. In literary criticism, it explores the complexity of human nature through the lens of moral agency.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Character refers to moral qualities.
- It also means a person in a story.
- It is a countable noun.
- It is different from personality.
When we talk about character, we are looking at the inner blueprint of a person. It is not just about what you do, but why you do it.
Think of character as your moral compass. It represents your honesty, your reliability, and your courage when things get tough. A person of 'good character' is someone others can trust and rely on.
The word character comes from the Ancient Greek word kharaktēr, which originally meant a 'stamping tool' or 'engraved mark.'
In the past, it referred to a mark made on a coin or a seal. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from a physical mark on an object to the 'mark' left on a person's soul by their experiences and choices. It is fascinating how a word for a tool became a word for our deepest values.
You will often hear people talk about building character or having a strong character. It is a very versatile word used in both casual and formal settings.
In literature, we use it to describe the people in a book. In professional life, a 'reference' often speaks to a person's character, meaning their reliability and work ethic.
1. Character assassination: Trying to ruin someone's reputation. 2. Out of character: Doing something that doesn't fit your usual personality. 3. In character: Acting exactly as expected. 4. A character: Calling someone 'a real character' means they are funny or eccentric. 5. Build character: Doing hard things to become a better person.
The word character is a countable noun. You can have 'a character' or 'many characters.'
Pronunciation (US): /ˈkær.ək.tər/. Pronunciation (UK): /ˈkær.ək.tər/. It rhymes with 'barrister' or 'harbinger' in a loose sense. The stress is always on the first syllable.
Fun Fact
It originally meant a mark on a coin.
Pronunciation Guide
Kair-uk-ter
Kair-uk-ter
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'ch' as 'sh'
- Dropping the middle syllable
- Stressing the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable nouns
a character
Adjective placement
strong character
Prepositional phrases
out of character
Examples by Level
He is a good character.
He + is + good + person
Use 'a' before singular noun
She has a nice character.
She + has + nice + spirit
Verb 'has' for possession
He is a funny character.
He + is + funny + person
Adjective before noun
I like this character.
I + like + this + person
Demonstrative pronoun
She is a strong character.
She + is + strong + person
Adjective usage
He acts in character.
He + acts + like + usual
Prepositional phrase
What a character!
What + a + funny + person
Exclamatory sentence
He has no character.
He + has + no + morals
Negative quantifier
She has a kind character.
He is a main character in the book.
It is out of character for him to be late.
He is a very interesting character.
Building character is hard work.
She shows great character.
He is a man of good character.
The movie has many characters.
His character was tested during the crisis.
She is a character you can trust.
The story has a complex main character.
He showed his true character today.
It is a test of character to admit mistakes.
She is a person of strong moral character.
The book is full of colorful characters.
His behavior was completely out of character.
She demonstrated remarkable character under pressure.
The protagonist is a deeply flawed character.
He is known for his integrity and character.
It is a question of character, not ability.
The scandal damaged his public character.
She is a woman of impeccable character.
He has the character to lead the team.
The play features a wide range of characters.
His actions revealed the true depth of his character.
She possesses the strength of character to stand alone.
The novel explores the disintegration of the protagonist's character.
He is a man of high moral character and principle.
The incident served as a defining moment for his character.
She has a stubborn character but a kind heart.
The film is a study in character and motivation.
His character is beyond reproach.
The narrative arc reflects the evolution of his character.
She exhibited a stoic character in the face of adversity.
The work is an insightful character study of the era.
His character is forged in the fires of experience.
The play hinges on the interaction between these two characters.
She possesses a formidable character and intellect.
His character remains consistent throughout the tragedy.
The author portrays the character with great nuance.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Out of character"
not typical behavior
That outburst was out of character for him.
neutral"In character"
acting as expected
He stayed in character during the whole interview.
neutral"Character assassination"
ruining a reputation
The campaign turned into character assassination.
formal"A real character"
an eccentric person
My grandfather is a real character.
casual"Build character"
to become stronger through hardship
Doing chores will build character.
neutral"Character witness"
someone who vouches for you
He brought a character witness to court.
formalEasily Confused
Both describe a person
Character is moral, personality is social
He has a good character but a shy personality.
Both relate to how people see you
Reputation is external, character is internal
He has a bad reputation but a good character.
Both are used in plays
Actor is the person, character is the role
The actor played the character well.
Both refer to qualities
Trait is a single part, character is the whole
Honesty is a trait of his character.
Sentence Patterns
He is a person of [adjective] character.
He is a person of strong character.
It is out of character for [subject] to [verb].
It is out of character for him to lie.
The [noun] has a complex character.
The book has a complex character.
He showed his character by [verb+ing].
He showed his character by helping.
Building character is [adjective].
Building character is important.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Character is moral; personality is social.
Character is the role, actor is the human.
Usually used without 'a' in moral contexts.
Standard pluralization rule.
It refers to letters in computing.
Tips
The Care Trick
Remember: Character = Care + act + er.
Moral vs Social
Use character for right/wrong, personality for fun/social.
Character References
Used in job hunts to prove you are honest.
Article usage
Use 'a' for a person, but 'strong character' (no article) for the trait.
Three syllables
Kair-uk-ter. Don't skip the middle!
Don't confuse with actor
The actor plays the character.
Ancient roots
It meant a stamp on a coin.
Keep a journal
Write about your character traits daily.
In literature
Use it to describe the hero.
Pluralization
Always add 's' for more than one person.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
CARE-acter: If you CARE, you have good character.
Visual Association
A stamp mark on a person's heart.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three traits of your own character.
Word Origin
Greek
Original meaning: a stamping tool
Cultural Context
None, generally positive.
High value is placed on 'good character' in schools and business.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- character building
- main character
- story character
at work
- character reference
- strong character
- professional character
in literature
- character development
- protagonist character
- flawed character
in social life
- a real character
- out of character
- good character
Conversation Starters
"How would you describe your own character?"
"Who is a fictional character you admire?"
"Why is character important in a leader?"
"Can a person change their character?"
"What does it mean to have a strong character?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you showed strong character.
What is one character trait you want to improve?
Who is a person you know with good character?
How does a person's character affect their life?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, character is moral; personality is social.
Yes, in a book or game.
It is related, but character is the internal reality.
It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
By doing hard things and being honest.
Yes, a 'bad character' is a person with poor morals.
A deep look at a person's nature.
It defines who you are.
Test Yourself
He is a good ___.
Character fits the description of a person.
What does 'out of character' mean?
It means behavior that is not typical.
Character only means a person in a book.
It also means moral qualities.
Word
Meaning
Both words relate to identity.
He is a man of good character.
Score: /5
Summary
Character is the inner strength that defines who you truly are.
- Character refers to moral qualities.
- It also means a person in a story.
- It is a countable noun.
- It is different from personality.
The Care Trick
Remember: Character = Care + act + er.
Moral vs Social
Use character for right/wrong, personality for fun/social.
Character References
Used in job hunts to prove you are honest.
Article usage
Use 'a' for a person, but 'strong character' (no article) for the trait.
Example
他是一个品格高尚的人。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
