Describing Personality in Chinese — 性格 / 温柔 / 开朗 / 内向 / 外向

Personality is 性格 xìnggé. Use it to talk about disposition: 他的性格很好 (his personality is good), 她性格开朗 (she has a cheerful personality).

A distinguishing trait is 特点 tèdiǎn: 她最大的特点就是细心 (her biggest trait is being careful). Temper is 脾气 píqi: 他脾气很好 (he has a good temper) versus 他脾气不好 (he is bad-tempered).

温柔 wēnróu means "gentle" or "tender". It describes a soft manner: 她是一个温柔的人 (she is a gentle person), 他说话很温柔 (he speaks gently).

开朗 kāilǎng means "cheerful" and "open". It describes a bright, sunny disposition: 他性格很开朗 (he has a cheerful personality), 她很开朗 (she is very cheerful).

外向 wàixiàng means "extroverted" and 内向 nèixiàng means "introverted". 外向的人喜欢交朋友 (extroverts like making friends); 内向的人更喜欢安静 (introverts prefer quiet). Use 比较 bǐjiào (quite) to soften: 她比较内向 (she is quite introverted).

友好 yǒuhǎo means "friendly": 他们对我很友好 (they are friendly to me). 热情 rèqíng means "warm" and "enthusiastic": 服务员很热情 (the waiter is very enthusiastic), 热情好客 (warm and hospitable).

文静 wénjìng means "quiet" and "gentle", often for a calm, reserved girl: 她是一个文静的女孩 (she is a quiet girl). 幽默 yōumò means "humorous": 他很幽默 (he is funny), 他很有幽默感 (he has a sense of humor).

细心 xìxīn means "careful" and "meticulous": 她很细心 (she is very careful). 大方 dàfang means "generous" and "natural": 他很大方 (he is generous). 自信 zìxìn means "confident": 她很自信 (she is confident). 害羞 hàixiū means "shy": 他很害羞 (he is shy), 别害羞 (do not be shy).

Use 很 + adjective as the default: 她很温柔 (she is gentle). Note that 很 often acts as a neutral linker rather than a strong "very". For a stronger meaning, use 非常 fēicháng or 特别 tèbié: 她非常开朗 (she is extremely cheerful).

Use 是 + 一个 + adjective + 的人 for a more formal, emphatic statement: 他是一个友好的人 (he is a friendly person).

Use 性格 + 很 + adjective to name the personality directly: 他的性格很开朗 (his personality is cheerful). For temper, use 脾气 + 很好/不好: 她脾气很好 (she has a good temper).

Ask about personality with 他的性格怎么样? (what is his personality like?) or 他是什么样的人? (what kind of person is he?).

内向 nèixiàng (introverted) is a stable disposition, while 害羞 hàixiū (shy) is a situational feeling. Someone can be 内向 but not 害羞: 他很内向, 但是在陌生人面前很害羞 (he is introverted and shy in front of strangers).

开朗 kāilǎng (cheerful) describes temperament, while 外向 wàixiàng (extroverted) describes social orientation. A person can be 内向 yet 开朗: 她很内向但很开朗 (she is introverted but cheerful).

温柔 wēnróu (gentle, soft) is about manner and speech, while 文静 wénjìng (quiet, refined) is about being calm and reserved. 温柔 emphasizes softness; 文静 emphasizes quietness.

Do not insert 是 before a bare adjective: 她是温柔 is wrong. Say 她很温柔 or 她是一个温柔的人.

Do not confuse 性格 (personality) with 脾气 (temper). 性格 is the overall disposition; 脾气 is the temper or emotional reaction. 他脾气不好 means bad-tempered, not a bad personality.

Do not use 热情 (warm, enthusiastic) as a plain synonym for 友好 (friendly). 热情 is warmer and more energetic, describing active hospitality.

Use 温柔 for gentleness of manner, not quietness. For a quiet personality use 文静.