Inklingo
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personaje

/per-soh-NA-heh/

character

A colorful storybook illustration of a fantasy character, specifically a brave knight wearing shining silver armor and holding a sword, standing on a small wooden stage.

A knight is a fictional personaje (character) in a story.

personaje(noun)

mA2

character

?

in a film, book, or play

Also:

role

?

the part an actor plays

📝 In Action

El personaje principal es muy valiente.

A2

The main character is very brave.

Crearon un personaje inolvidable para la serie.

B1

They created an unforgettable character for the series.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • protagonista (protagonist)
  • figura (figure)

Common Collocations

  • desarrollar un personaje – to develop a character
  • personaje de ficción – fictional character

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Gender Rule

Even if 'personaje' refers to a woman or a girl, the word itself is always masculine (el personaje). You must use the masculine article 'el' or 'un'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Incorrect Gender Agreement

Mistake: "La personaje principal."

Correction: El personaje principal. Remember, the word 'personaje' is masculine, no matter the gender of the character.

⭐ Usage Tips

Talking about Stories

Use 'personaje' whenever you are talking about someone who exists only within a created story or fictional world.

A colorful storybook illustration of a distinguished person wearing a dark business suit standing confidently behind a wooden podium, representing a notable public figure.

This respected individual is an important public personaje (figure).

personaje(noun)

mB1

figure

?

a notable or important person

,

personality

?

a public figure

Also:

big shot

?

informal, important person

📝 In Action

Es un personaje influyente en la política local.

B1

He is an influential figure in local politics.

Ese señor es un personaje, siempre cuenta historias increíbles.

B2

That man is quite a character; he always tells incredible stories.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • celebridad (celebrity)
  • notable (notable person)

Common Collocations

  • personaje público – public figure
  • personaje famoso – famous personality

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

When used in this sense, 'personaje' often implies the person has a strong, distinctive, or sometimes eccentric personality, making them memorable like a character in a story.

⭐ Usage Tips

Personaje vs. Persona

Use 'persona' for any human being. Use 'personaje' only if that person is famous, influential, or has a very colorful personality that stands out.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: personaje

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the word 'personaje'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

If 'personaje' refers to a woman, why is it always masculine?

This is a common feature of Spanish nouns ending in -aje. The gender of the noun ('personaje' is masculine) is fixed and does not change to match the gender of the person or thing it describes. Always use 'el' or 'un'.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'personaje' y 'persona'?

'Persona' is the general word for 'person' or 'human being'. 'Personaje' specifically means a fictional character (in a story) or a very important/eccentric public figure.