Spanish Conversation · Level 88
60 words
Spanish word
caracterizar
Pronunciation
IPA/kaɾakteɾiˈθaɾ/
Meaning
- verbportray
Example
La película caracteriza a los protagonistas como valientes.
The movie portrays the protagonists as brave.
More examples
El narrador caracteriza el ambiente como inquietante.
The narrator characterizes the atmosphere as unsettling.
Core concept
Assigning a set of traits that shapes an overall impression.
Common phrases
caracterizar a alguien
characterize someone
caracterizar algo como
characterize something as
caracterizar una obra
characterize a work
Similar words
describir: Describes appearance or qualities in clear, neutral verbal detail.
presentar: Presents a person or topic to others, formally introducing them or their situation.
destacar: Highlights an important feature or point so it becomes noticeably prominent.
Definition in Spanish
Hacer que se destaquen o se asignen rasgos específicos a una persona, cosa o idea.
Word origin
Derived from carácter plus -izar, with carácter tracing back to Greek kharaktēr meaning an engraved mark or defining trait, hence a verb for attributing defining traits.
Usage tips
- Compared with describir, caracterizar often implies a selective emphasis on particular traits, so it can sound evaluative or analytical in tone.
Other meanings
- typifyverb
Opposites
- descaracterizardecharacterizeverb
Related words
- caracterizacióncharacterizationnoun
- característicocharacteristicadjective
- caracterizablecharacterizableadjective