Describing People

Being able to describe people accurately is essential in everyday conversation. This lesson covers vocabulary for physical attributes, personality traits, and provides useful phrases for describing someone in various contexts.

Physical Descriptions

Basic Physical Features

Alto - Tall
Bajo - Short
Gordo - Fat
Delgado - Thin
Fuerte - Strong
Débil - Weak
Joven - Young
Viejo - Old
Calvo - Bald
Barbudo - Bearded

Example Sentences:

Mi tío es alto y fuerte.
(My uncle is tall and strong.)
La abuela de Juan es vieja y débil.
(Juan's grandmother is old and weak.)

Hair and Eyes

Rubio - Blonde
Moreno - Brunette / Dark-haired
Pelirrojo - Redhead
Calvo - Bald
Canoso - Gray-haired
Ojos azules - Blue eyes
Ojos marrones - Brown eyes
Ojos verdes - Green eyes

Example Sentences:

Ella es pelirroja con ojos verdes.
(She is a redhead with green eyes.)
Mi hermano es moreno y tiene ojos azules.
(My brother is dark-haired and has blue eyes.)

Personality Traits

Common Personality Traits

Amable - Kind
Rudo - Rude
Simpático - Nice
Antipático - Unpleasant
Inteligente - Intelligent
Tonto - Silly
Serio - Serious
Gracioso - Funny
Perezoso - Lazy
Trabajador - Hardworking

Example Sentences:

Mi profesora es muy amable y simpática.
(My teacher is very kind and nice.)
Ellos son inteligentes pero muy serios.
(They are intelligent but very serious.)

Describing Clothes

Common Clothing Descriptions

Vestido elegante - Elegant dress
Traje - Suit
Camiseta - T-shirt
Pantalones cortos - Shorts
Zapatos deportivos - Sneakers
Abrigo - Coat

Example Sentences:

Él lleva un traje azul y zapatos negros.
(He is wearing a blue suit and black shoes.)
Ella lleva un vestido elegante para la fiesta.
(She is wearing an elegant dress for the party.)

Useful Phrases for Describing Someone

¿Cómo es él/ella? - What is he/she like?
Él es más alto que yo. - He is taller than me.
Ella es tan amable como su madre. - She is as kind as her mother.
Tiene el pelo rubio y los ojos azules. - He has blonde hair and blue eyes.
Se parece a su hermano. - He looks like his brother.

Example Sentences:

¿Cómo es tu nuevo compañero de trabajo?
(What is your new coworker like?)
Ella tiene el cabello canoso y siempre lleva gafas.
(She has gray hair and always wears glasses.)