carácter
/kah-RAHK-tehr/
character
Carácter can refer to someone's personality or temperament.
carácter(noun)
character
?personality, temperament
nature
?a person's fundamental way of being
,strength of will
?when used positively, e.g., 'tener carácter'
📝 In Action
Mi hermano tiene un carácter muy alegre y sociable.
A2My brother has a very cheerful and sociable personality.
Para ser líder, necesitas tener mucho carácter.
B1To be a leader, you need to have a lot of backbone (or strength of will).
Su mal carácter causó muchos problemas en la oficina.
B1His bad temper caused many problems in the office.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender is Fixed
'Carácter' is always a masculine noun ('el carácter'), even though it refers to human qualities.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong verb
Mistake: "Ser carácter (to be character)"
Correction: Use 'tener carácter' (to have character/backbone) or 'ser de carácter fuerte' (to be of strong character).
⭐ Usage Tips
Strong vs. Weak
Use 'fuerte' (strong) or 'débil' (weak) to describe someone's character: 'carácter fuerte'.
Carácter can also mean a symbol or sign, like a graphic character used in writing.
📝 In Action
La contraseña debe incluir al menos un carácter especial.
B1The password must include at least one special character (symbol).
Los caracteres japoneses son complejos de memorizar.
B2Japanese characters are complex to memorize.
⭐ Usage Tips
Character vs. Letter
Use 'carácter' when you mean any symbol (A, 5, @, #). Use 'letra' only for letters of the alphabet (A, B, C).
The word carácter can describe the essential nature or defining feature of something.
carácter(noun)
nature
?essential quality or defining feature
capacity
?legal or official role
,stamp
?imprint or characteristic mark
📝 In Action
El carácter confidencial de la información es vital para el proyecto.
C1The confidential nature of the information is vital for the project.
Actuó en carácter de representante legal de la empresa.
C2He acted in the capacity of the company's legal representative.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Construction
This meaning often appears in the phrase 'en carácter de...' to indicate the role someone is fulfilling.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: carácter
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'carácter' to mean 'a symbol or sign'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'carácter' have an accent mark, but its plural form, 'caracteres,' does not?
The accent mark shows where the stress falls when we say the word. In the singular 'ca-RÁC-ter,' the stress is on the second-to-last syllable, and since the word ends in 'r' (not n, s, or a vowel), it needs the accent. When it becomes plural, 'ca-rac-TE-res,' the stress naturally moves to the 'te' syllable, which follows the standard Spanish stress rule for words ending in 's,' so the accent is no longer needed.
Can 'carácter' refer to a fictional person in a story?
No, not usually. In Spanish, when talking about a fictional person in a book or movie, you should use 'personaje' (character/figure). 'Carácter' is almost always reserved for personality or symbols.