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caracterizar

ka-rahk-teh-ree-SAHRkaɾakteɾiˈθaɾ

“caracterizar” means “to characterize” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to characterize, to distinguish

Also: to identify
VerbB1spelling change ar
A colorful bird with long tail feathers and a bright crest, highlighting its unique features.
gerundcaracterizando
past Participlecaracterizado
infinitivecaracterizar

📝 In Action

Su honestidad lo caracteriza.

A2

His honesty is what characterizes him.

Esta región se caracteriza por su clima seco.

B1

This region is known for its dry climate.

Es difícil caracterizar su estilo literario en pocas palabras.

B2

It is difficult to characterize his literary style in a few words.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • caracterizarse por – to be characterized by
  • se caracteriza principalmente – is mainly characterized

to portray, to dress up / make up

VerbB2regular with spelling change ar
An actor on a stage wearing a crown and a royal robe, portraying a king.
gerundcaracterizando
past Participlecaracterizado
infinitivecaracterizar

📝 In Action

El actor se caracterizó como un pirata.

B1

The actor dressed up/transformed into a pirate.

La maquilladora lo caracterizó magistralmente para la película.

B2

The makeup artist transformed him masterfully for the movie.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • caracterizar a un personaje – to portray a character

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yocaracterizara
túcaracterizaras
él/ella/ustedcaracterizara
nosotroscaracterizáramos
vosotroscaracterizarais
ellos/ellas/ustedescaracterizaran

Present Subjunctive

yocaracterice
túcaracterices
él/ella/ustedcaracterice
nosotroscaractericemos
vosotroscaractericéis
ellos/ellas/ustedescaractericen

Indicative

Preterite

yocaractericé
túcaracterizaste
él/ella/ustedcaracterizó
nosotroscaracterizamos
vosotroscaracterizasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedescaracterizaron

Imperfect

yocaracterizaba
túcaracterizabas
él/ella/ustedcaracterizaba
nosotroscaracterizábamos
vosotroscaracterizabais
ellos/ellas/ustedescaracterizaban

Present

yocaracterizo
túcaracterizas
él/ella/ustedcaracteriza
nosotroscaracterizamos
vosotroscaracterizáis
ellos/ellas/ustedescaracterizan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "caracterizar" in Spanish:

to characterize→to distinguish→to identify→to portray→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: caracterizar

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I characterized' in the past (preterite)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
carácter(character/personality) — Noun
característica(characteristic/feature) — Noun
característico(characteristic/typical) — Adjective
caracterización(characterization/portrayal) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'characterizare', which comes from the Greek 'charaktēr' (an engraved mark or distinctive token).

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: characterizeFrench: caractériser

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'caracterizar' only for people?

No, it is very common to use it for things, places, or abstract concepts like a 'climate' or an 'artistic style'.

Does it ever use 'ch' like in English?

Never. Spanish uses 'c' for the 'k' sound in this word family.

What is the difference between 'caracterizar' and 'describir'?

'Describir' is general (telling what something looks like), while 'caracterizar' focuses on the specific traits that make something unique.