137 top personality traits & adjectives in Spanish for describing

Learning a few personality adjectives in Spanish will help you describe just about anyone.

If you’re looking for some vocabulary words that you can learn quickly and have a big payoff, then look no further than personality adjectives.

Learning some colorful ways to describe personality in Spanish will allow you to:

• Compliment your friends in Spanish: Who doesn’t love a genuine compliment? And since you’re likely to meet new people as you learn Spanish, you’ll surely want to know how to compliment their personalities.
• Introduce yourself in Spanish: You can use personality adjectives to introduce yourself to the class or your new coworkers. Are you outgoing and energetic? Are you more chill and laid back? Share with your new friends!
• Describe your friends and family in Spanish: As a Spanish learner, you’re likely to find yourself in one of the Spanish-speaking countries. You may have to move there for work, or maybe you’ll do an immersive study program in Spain or Latin America. No matter the case, knowing some personality traits will allow you to talk about your loved ones back home!
• Identify people whose names you don’t know: We’ve all been in a situation where we forget someone’s name. Be it a classmate, coworker, or new friend; it’s easy to forget someone’s name after you’ve just met them. Being able to describe their personality to someone else will help you find out what their name is without having to (embarrassingly) ask the person for their name again.
• Talk about people: Not in a bad way, of course! You can talk about mutual friends or acquaintances with people you know once you’re familiar with some personality adjectives.

If you’re convinced that learning personality adjectives will help boost your Spanish, read on. We’ll cover over 150 personality adjectives to help you describe anyone’s character traits in Spanish flawlessly.

We’ll also go over some slang terms that you may encounter as you study Spanish in the wild. Let’s get started!

What are personality adjectives in Spanish?

Adjectives are words that describe a noun. In other words, they help us easily share additional information about a person or thing that we’re talking about.

Personality adjectives in Spanish are words that describe the personality traits of a person. You can describe their humor, temper, talents, and other important features of their character. Personality adjectives in Spanish fall within the category of descriptive adjectives.

Using adjectives in Spanish is similar to using them in English. You must always use them in conjunction with a noun or pronoun, but you don’t always need an adjective to use a noun or pronoun.

Keep in mind that Spanish is a null-subject language, so you may use adjectives even if a noun or pronoun in Spanish isn’t present as long as the noun being described is implied by the verb conjugation. We’ll show you some examples of this in a bit.

Making personality in Spanish vocab agree in number and gender

The most significant difference between English and Spanish personality adjectives is that adjectives in Spanish have to agree in number and gender with the person or thing they’re modifying.

Let’s take a look at four very similar sentences in English and Spanish to illustrate this more clearly.

English	Spanish
He is fun.	Él es divertid o.
She is fun.	Ella es divertid a.
They are fun.	Ellos son divertid os.
They are fun.	Ellas son divertid as.

As you can tell from the sentences above, English adjectives never change. Fun is fun, no matter if the person you’re describing as fun is male, female, or multiple people. In Spanish, you’ll notice that the ending of the personality adjective divertido is different in every sentence above.

This is because adjectives in Spanish have to agree in noun and gender with the noun they are modifying. In general, adjectives that end in -o (divertid o) are used to describe masculine nouns. To change it to the female form, simply replace the -o with -a (divertida). Adjectives that end in -e are gender-neutral and can be used for both male and female nouns.

To make an adjective plural, simply add an -s at the end (divertidos). If you’re talking about a group of girls, you would also change the -o for an -a (divertidas). Note that you would use the male form -os (divertidos) when talking about groups containing both men and women.

Of course, there are a few exceptions, but following the rules above will ensure you get it right over 90% of the time. The more you practice Spanish, the easier it will be for you to memorize the different adjective forms. We promise that, with enough practice, coordinating the adjective gender and noun will be second nature to you!

Personality traits in Spanish

Now, let’s get into the most important part of this article: the personality traits in Spanish. As usual, we’re including a pronunciation guide along with each translation so you can start using these personality adjectives right away.

Looking for a guide to all types of Spanish adjectives? Check out our in-depth guide here.

English	Spanish	IPA	Pronunciation
Ambitious	Ambicioso	ãmbiˈsjoso	ahm-bee-see-oh-so
Funny	Gracioso	ɡɾaˈsjoso	gra-see-oh-so
Outgoing	Extrovertido	ɛkstɾoβɛɾˈtiðo	ex-tro-ver-tee-doe
Intelligent	Inteligente	ĩnteliˈxɛ̃nte	een-teh-lee-hen-teh
Shy	Tímido	ˈtimiðo	tee-mee-do
Creative	Creativo	kɾeaˈtiβo	creh-ah-tee-vo
Patient	Paciente	paˈsjɛ̃nte	pah-see-ehn-teh
Charismatic	Carismático	kaɾis̬ˈmatiko	cah-rees-mah-tee-co
Serious	Serio	ˈsɛɾjo	seh-ree-oh
Kind	Amable	aˈmaβle	ah-ma-bleh
Mean	Grosero	ɡɾoˈsɛɾo	gro-seh-ro
Scary	Aterrador	atɛraˈðoɾ	ah-teh-ra-dor
Unfriendly	Antipático	ãntiˈpatiko	ahn-tee-pa-tee-co
Impatient	Impaciente	ĩmpaˈsjɛ̃nte	eem-pah-see-ehn-teh
Lazy	Perezoso	pɛɾeˈsoso	peh-reh-so-so
Brave	Valiente	baˈljɛ̃nte	va-lee-ehn-teh
Playful	Juguetón	xuɣɛˈtõn	who-geh-ton
Studious	Estudioso	ɛstuˈðjoso	ehs-too-dee-oh-so
Friendly	Amigable	amiˈɣaβle	ah-me-gah-bleh
Nice	Agradable	aɣɾaˈðaβle	ah-gra-da-bleh
Sophisticated	Sofisticado	sofistiˈkaðo	so-fees-tee-ca-doh
Calm	Tranquilo	tɾãnˈkilo	tran-key-lo
Boring	Aburrido	aβuˈriðo	ah-boo-ree-do
Adventurous	Aventurero	aβɛ̃ntuˈɾɛɾo	ah-ven-too-reh-ro
Open-minded	De mente abierta	de ˈmɛ̃nte aˈβjɛɾta	deh mehn-teh ah-bee-ehr-ta
Extroverted	Extrovertido	ɛkstɾoβɛɾˈtiðo	ex-tro-ver-tee-do
Likable	Simpático	sĩmˈpatiko	seem-pa-tee-co
Clever	Astuto	asˈtuto	ahs-too-toe
Disorganized	Desorganizado	desoɾɣaniˈsaðo	des-or-gah-knee-sa-doe
Sincere	Sincero	sĩnˈsɛɾo	seen-seh-ro
Smart	Listo	ˈlisto	lees-toe
Straightforward	Directo	diˈɾek̚to	dee-rec-toe
Pessimistic	Pesimista	pesiˈmista	peh-see-mees-ta
Selfish	Egoísta	eɣoˈista	eh-goh-ees-tah
Uncultured	Inculto	ĩnˈkulto	een-cool-toe
Egocentric	Egocéntrico	eɣoˈsɛ̃ntɾiko	eh-goh-sehn-tree-co
Discreet	Discreto	disˈkɾɛto	Dees-creh-toe
Dishonest	Deshonesto	desoˈnɛsto	des-oh-nehs-toe
Naive	Ingenuo	ĩnˈxenwo	een-heh-noo-oh
Optimistic	Optimista	op̚tiˈmista	op-tee-mees-tah
Generous	Generoso	xenɛˈɾoso	heh-neh-ro-so
Clumsy	Torpe	ˈtoɾpe	tor-peh
Wary	Desconfiado	dɛskõmˈfjaðo	des-con-fee-ah-do
Cheerful	Alegre	aˈleɣɾe	ah-leh-greh
Hard-working	Trabajador	tɾaβaxaˈðoɾ	tra-ba-ha-door
Polite	Educado	eðuˈkaðo	eh-doo-ca-doe
Nervous	Nervioso	nɛɾˈβjoso	ner-vee-oh-so
Anxious	Ansioso	ãnˈsjoso	ahn-see-oh-so
Unpleasant	Desagradable	desaɣɾaˈðaβle	des-ah-gra-da-bleh
Reckless	Descuidado	dɛskwiˈðaðo	des-coo-eeh-da-doe
Thoughtful	Considerado	kõnsiðɛˈɾaðo	con-see-deh-ra-doe
Affectionate	Cariñoso	kaɾiˈɲoso	ca-ree-nyoh-soh
Jealous	Celoso	seˈloso	seh-lo-so
Cowardly	Cobarde	koˈβaɾðe	coe-bar-deh
Envious	Envidioso	ɛ̃mbiˈðjoso	ehn-vee-dee-oh-so
Evil	Malo	ˈmalo	ma-lo
Sensitive	Sensible	sɛ̃nˈsiβle	sehn-see-bleh
Agile	Ágil	ˈaxil	ah-heel
Loving	Amoroso	amoˈɾoso	ah-mo-ro-so
Passionate	Apasionado	apasjoˈnaðo	ah-pah-see-oh-na-doe
Attentive	Atento	aˈtɛ̃nto	ah-tehn-toe
Cautious	Cuidadoso	kwiðaˈðoso	coo-ee-dah-doe-so
Cynical	Cínico	ˈsiniko	see-knee-coe
Cruel	Cruel	ˈkɾwɛl	croo-ehl
Careful	Cuidadoso	kwiðaˈðoso	coo-ee-da-doe-so
Weak	Débil	ˈdeβil	deh-beel
Depressed	Deprimido	depɾiˈmiðo	deh-pree-me-doe
Careless	Descuidado	dɛskwiˈðaðo	dehs-coo-e-da-doe
Distant	Distante	disˈtãnte	dees-tan-teh
Sweet	Dulce	ˈdulse	dool-seh
Efficient	Eficiente	efiˈsjɛ̃nte	eh-fee-see-ehn-teh
Intrusive	Entrometido	ɛ̃ntɾomɛˈtiðo	ehn-troh-meh-tee-doe
Demanding	Exigente	ɛksiˈxɛ̃nte	ex-e-hehn-teh
Eccentric	Eccéntrico	ɛkˈsɛ̃ntɾiko	ex-ehn-tree-coe
Cold	Frío	ˈfɾio	free-oh
Grumpy	Gruñón	ɡɾuˈɲõn	groo-nyohn
Impulsive	Impulsivo	ĩmpulˈsiβo	eem-pool-see-voh
Imaginative	Imaginativo	imaxinaˈtiβo	e-mah-he-na-tee-voh
Immature	Inmaduro	ĩmmaˈðuɾo	e-mah-doo-ro
Restless	Inquieto	ĩnˈkjɛto	een-key-eh-toe
Interesting	Interesante	ĩntɛɾeˈsãnte	een-teh-reh-sahn-teh
Malicious	Malicioso	maliˈsjoso	mah-lee-see-oh-so
Bold	Intrepido	ĩntɾeˈpiðo	een-treh-pee-doe
Liar	Mentiroso	mɛ̃ntiˈɾoso	mehn-tee-ro-so
Stingy	Tacaño	taˈkaɲo	tah-ca-nyoh
Pensive	Pensativo	pɛ̃nsaˈtiβo	pehn-sah-tee-vo
Persevering	Perseverante	pɛɾseβɛˈɾãnte	pear-seh-veh-rahn-teh
Practical	Práctico	ˈpɾak̚tiko	prac-tee-coe
Provocative	Provocador	pɾoβokaˈðoɾ	pro-vo-cah-door
Punctual	Puntual	pũnˈtwal	poon-too-ahl
Fussy	Quisquilloso	kiskiˈʝoso	keys-key-yo-so
Reserved	Reservado	resɛɾˈβaðo	reh-ser-va-doe
Ridiculous	Rídiculo	ˈriðikulo	ree-dee-coo-lo
Confident	Seguro de sí mismo	seˈɣuɾo ðe ˈsi ˈmis̬mo	seh-goo-ro deh see mees-mo
Sensible	Sensato	sɛ̃nˈsato	sehn-sah-toe
Dirty	Sucio	ˈsusjo	soo-see-oh
Shallow	Superficial	supɛɾfiˈsjal	soo-pear-fee-see-ahl
Modest	Modesto	moˈðɛsto	mo-dehs-toe
Humble	Humilde	uˈmilde	ooh-meel-deh
Proud	Orgulloso	oɾɣuˈʝoso	ore-goo-yo-so
Sad	Triste	ˈtɾiste	trees-teh
Pathetic	Patético	paˈtɛtiko	pah-teh-tee-co
Talented	Talentoso	talɛ̃nˈtoso	tah-lehn-toe-so
Trustworthy	Confiable	kõmˈfjaβle	con-fee-ah-bleh
Thrifty	Ahorrativo	aoraˈtiβo	ah-oh-rah-tee-voe
Respectful	Respetuoso	rɛspɛˈtwoso	rehs-peh-too-oh-so
Relaxed	Relajado	relaˈxaðo	reh-la-hah-doe
Rude	Grosero	ɡɾoˈsɛɾo	gro-seh-roe
Bossy	Mandón	mãnˈdõn	man-don
Stubborn	Testarudo	tɛstaˈɾuðo	tehs-tah-roo-doe
Smug	Presumido	pɾesuˈmiðo	preh-soo-me-doe
Nosey	Entrometido	ɛ̃ntɾomɛˈtiðo	ehn-troh-meh-tee-doe
Picky	Caprichoso	kapɾiˈʧoso	ca-pree-cho-so
Arrogant	Arrogante	aroˈɣãnte	ah-ro-gahn-teh
Absent-minded	Distraído	distɾaˈiðo	dees-trah-eh-doe
Mischievous	Travieso	tɾaˈβjeso	tra-vee-eh-so
Cranky	Enojón	enoˈxõn	eh-no-hon
Mature	Maduro	maˈðuɾo	mah-doo-roe
Skillful	Hábil	ˈaβil	ah-beel
Happy-go-lucky	Risueño	riˈsweɲo	ree-soo-eh-nyoh
Tender	Tierno	ˈtjɛɾno	tee-air-no
Timid	Tímido	ˈtimiðo	tee-mee-doe
Witty	Ingenioso	ĩnxeˈnjoso	een-heh-nee-oh-so
Abusive	Abusivo	aβuˈsiβo	ah-boo-see-voe
Annoying	Fastidioso	fastiˈðjoso	fahs-tee-dee-oh-so

Personality traits slang in Spanish

If you’ve spent time in a Spanish-speaking country, you must have noticed that people use a lot of slang when speaking with friends. Of course, nobody will sound like the sample conversations in your Spanish textbook, so it’s always important to learn some slang when learning a new language.

Here are some slang words for character traits in Spanish. And, if you’re interested in learning even more Spanish slang, check out our full guide to Spanish slang.

English	Spanish	IPA	Pronunciation	Context
Vagabond	Vago	ˈbaɣo	vah-go	Casual
Hard-working	Chambeador	ʧãmbeaˈðoɾ	cham-beh-ah-door	Casual
Lazy	Flojo	ˈfloxo	flo-ho	Casual
Nosey	Chismoso	ʧis̬ˈmoso	chees-mo-so	Casual
Stingy	Codo	ˈkoðo	co-doe	Casual
Annoying	Nefasto	neˈfasto	neh-fahs-toe	Casual
Stubborn	Necio	ˈnesjo	neh-see-oh	Casual
Fussy	Mañoso	maˈɲoso	mah-nyoh-so	Casual
Cool	Bakan	ˈbakãn	bah-kahn	Casual
Cool	Chévere	ˈʧeβɛɾe	cheh-veh-reh	Casual
Ill-tempered	Sangrón	sãnˈɡɾõn	sahn-gron	Casual
Rude	Grosero	ɡɾoˈsɛɾo	grow-seh-roe	Casual

Personality traits in Spanish example sentences

Now that you’ve learned over 150 different personality adjectives in Spanish, you’re probably looking for some concrete examples of how they would be used in a sentence. Check out the table below for some helpful example sentences of character adjectives in Spanish!

English	Spanish	IPA	Pronunciation
He is very studious.	Él es muy estudioso.	ˈɛl ˈɛs̬ mwj ɛstuˈðjoso ‖	ehl ehs mooy ehs-too-dee-oh-so
My mom is a very ambitious businesswoman.	Mi mamá es una empresaria ambiciosa.	mi maˈma ˈɛs ˈuna ɛ̃mpɾeˈsaɾja ãmbiˈsjosa ‖	me mah-mah ehs oo-nah ehm-preh-sah-ree-ah ahm-bee-see-oh-sa
They are very fun.	Ellos son muy divertidos.	ˈeʝos ˈsõm mwi ðiβɛɾˈtiðos ‖	eh-yos son mooy dee-ver-tee-doss
The math teachers seem very boring to me.	Las maestras de matemáticas me parecen muy aburridas.	las̬ maˈɛstɾas̬ ðe mateˈmatikas̬ me paˈɾesɛ̃m mwj aβuˈriðas ‖	las mah-ehs-trahs deh mah-teh-mah-tee-cas meh pah-reh-sehn mooy ah-boo-ree-dass
I am very extroverted.	Yo soy muy extrovertido.	ˈɟʝo ˈsoi̯ mwj ɛkstɾoβɛɾˈtiðo ‖	yo soy mooy ex-tro-ver-tee-do
My cat is very affectionate.	Mi gata es muy cariñosa.	mi ˈɣata ˈɛs̬ mwi kaɾiˈɲosa ‖	me ga-tah ehs mooy cah-ree-nyoh-sah
My dog is very agile.	Mi perro es muy ágil.	mi ˈpɛro ˈɛs̬ mwj ˈaxil ‖	me peh-ro ehs mooy ah-heel
Your brother sounds very reckless.	Tu hermano suena muy descuidado.	tw ɛɾˈmano ˈswena mwi ðɛskwiˈðaðo ‖	too air-ma-no soo-eh-na mooy des-coo-e-da-doe
Don’t be stupid!	¡No seas tonto!	ˈno ˈseas ˈtõnto ‖	no seh-ahs ton-toe
I don’t know him, but he seems very quiet.	No lo conozco, pero se ve muy reservado.	ˈno lo koˈnosko | ˈpɛɾo se ˈβe mwi resɛɾˈβaðo ‖	no lo co-noz-co, pear-oh seh veh mooy reh-ser-vah-doe

Personality adjectives for the most studious students

If you’ve read through this entire guide, you’re definitely one of the most estudioso students in your class! You’ve now learned over 150 personality traits in Spanish to help you describe all the lovely people in your life.

If you enjoyed this guide, check out our other Spanish blog vocabulary lessons for more free and informative Spanish content. We publish new blogs every month, so make sure to bookmark the page to keep improving your Spanish with our fun guides!