Translation guide
The English word "character" covers several distinct concepts. This guide breaks them down into practical meanings for learners: personality/traits, a person in a story, a written symbol, moral strength, and distinctive quality. Each meaning has its own natural Japanese expressions.
Describing someone's inherent qualities, disposition, or typical behavior.
The most common and general word for 'personality' or 'character' of a person. Used in everyday conversation.
彼は明るい性格です。
He has a cheerful character.
性格が合わない人もいる。
There are people whose characters don't match yours.
Refers to someone's character as perceived by others, often implying warmth, kindness, or good nature. Slightly more formal and positive.
彼女の人柄に惹かれました。
I was drawn to her character.
Refers to 'personality' in a more formal, psychological, or moral sense. Often used in contexts like 'character development' or 'integrity'.
教育は人格の形成に重要だ。
Education is important for character formation.
Referring to a fictional or dramatic person.
The most common word for a fictional character. Often shortened to 'キャラ' in casual speech.
このアニメのキャラクターは魅力的だ。
The characters in this anime are appealing.
彼はゲームのキャラをデザインしている。
He designs game characters.
Means 'role' or 'part', often used for a character in a play, film, or when referring to the part an actor plays.
Referring to a sign used in writing systems.
General term for a character in writing, including letters, kanji, kana, etc.
日本語には三種類の文字がある。
Japanese has three types of characters.
この文字は読めない。
I can't read this character.
Often used interchangeably with 文字, but can specifically refer to a single character or handwriting. Common in compounds.
彼は字が上手だ。
He has good handwriting (literally 'his characters are good').
Means 'symbol' or 'sign', used for non-letter characters like punctuation, mathematical symbols, etc.
Describing someone's ethical qualities, honesty, or backbone.
Used for moral character or integrity. Often appears in phrases like 人格者 (person of character).
彼は人格者だ。
He is a person of good character.
Refers to moral character, decency, or refinement. Often used in formal contexts.
Means 'backbone' or 'moral fiber', implying strength of character and fortitude. Somewhat literary.
Describing the unique feel or character of a location, object, etc.
Means 'distinctive feature' or 'characteristic', often used for places, products, etc.
この町の特色は古い建物だ。
The character of this town is its old buildings.
Refers to a subtle, refined charm or character, often of a place, art, or object. Evokes a sense of tasteful atmosphere.
Literally 'flavor', but can mean 'character' or 'charm' in a broader sense, often for things with depth.
When describing someone's personality, do not use キャラクター unless you mean a fictional character. Use 性格 for real people's character.
性格 is the most neutral and common for personality. 人柄 focuses on how someone's character is perceived socially, often positive. 人格 is more formal and can refer to moral or psychological character.
Literally 'appearing person', used for characters in a narrative, especially in literature or drama. More formal than キャラクター.
小説の登場人物を分析する。
Analyze the characters in the novel.
He played the main character.
この字は何と読むの？
How do you read this character?
Plus is a mathematical character/symbol.
彼の品性を疑う。
I doubt his character.
He is a person of strong character.
この庭園は趣がある。
This garden has character.
この古い家具には味わいがある。
This old furniture has character.