Words and Phrases to describe people - WAP Mindmap 08 - teacher's input



We have learned all the basic words to describe people or their emotions (self-confident, sad - happy, glad) but of course there are many more advanced expressions to talk about character traits. These come in handy if you discuss characters in books. And that's why I have come up with this list for you!

The words below (mainly adjectives) are often used to describe PERSONALITY. So they are just what you need for the tasks of MM08. The easiest to remember will probably be the first in the loooong line, but decide for yourselves!

schadenfreude (noun)

Schadenfreude isn't the kindest emotion to ascribe to people, but we're human, and schadenfreude happens.  And, YES, this is a word the English would use. Like "rucksack", "kindergarden" or "poltergeist", it was adopted from the German language!



brave - not easily scared, willing to take on dangerous or difficult tasks, willing to face one's fears
chatty - talkative, talking a lot
clever - good at learning things
cowardly - (mildly negative) someone who is afraid of things (a bit of a coward)
curious - eager to learn new things or to find out about secrets
easy-going  -  easy to get along with

friendly 
funny
full of empathy - someone who can relate to others and who feels with them 
good with words
generous - someone who shares their time or things with others
grumpy
hard-working
honest - not telling lies, someone who is truthful and who doesn't cheat or steal
humble - decent, not looking for the spotlight
kind-hearted - good at heart
lazy - an inactive person who avoids work
loud
lucky
mean - NOT nice
moody - this adjective is used to describe someone who acts differently each time you meet them
nasty - mean
neat - a person who is very tidy
nervous
nice
polite
popular
quiet
rude
selfish - this adjective is used to describe people who only think about themselves.
serious - someone who is always very sensible (vernünftig) - the opposite of silly
shy
silly
smart
stupid
tidy
untidy
vain - used for someone who is a bit too fond of their looks (eitel)
wise

As for the words I have left "blank", try to come up with explanations yourselves ; )

List based on ESOL Courses - Free English Lessons Online (extended and adapted).

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