Learn Arabic: Personality & Character Traits

Describing the inner nature of the people you meet is a fundamental step in moving from basic survival phrases to meaningful social interaction. This lesson covers a comprehensive list of adjectives used to describe personality and character traits in Arabic. By learning these words, you will be able to talk about the virtues of your friends, the habits of your coworkers, and the complexities of human nature. You will find essential positive traits like Karīm (Generous) and Ṣabūr (Patient), as well as common flaws such as Kasūl (Lazy) or Mutakabbir (Arrogant).

One of the most important patterns to recognize when using these adjectives is gender agreement. In Arabic, adjectives must match the noun they describe. The words in this list are provided in the masculine singular form. To describe a female, you typically add the suffix "ah" (the letter ta marbuta) to the end of the word. For example, a kind man is Laṭīf, but a kind woman is Laṭīfah. Likewise, someone who is Nashīṭ (Active) becomes Nashīṭah when referring to a female subject. Learning these terms, from being Dhakiyy (Smart) to being Mu’addab (Polite), provides you with the tools to paint a detailed picture of anyone you encounter, allowing for more nuanced and personal conversations in your new language.