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Describing people in French

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French adjectives to describe a person distinguish attention from thoughtfulness: Attentif describes someone who pays attention, while Attentionné describes someone who shows care through thoughtful actions. Confiant can mean confident or trusting, depending on context; Digne de confiance describes someone others can trust.

Sensible describes someone who is sensitive or easily moved, while Susceptible describes someone who is easily offended. Éloquent describes someone who expresses ideas effectively and persuasively. Bavard simply describes someone who talks a lot; it does not imply skill in speaking and can sound critical.

  1. Éloquent /elɔˈkɑ̃/ Eloquent C1Advanced#
  2. Loquace /lɔˈkwas/ Talkative C1Advanced#
  3. Plein d'esprit /plɛ̃ dɛsˈpʁi/ Witty B2Advanced#
  4. Hardi /aʁˈdi/ Daring C1Advanced#
  5. Compatissant /kɔ̃patiˈsɑ̃/ Compassionate B2Advanced#
  6. Vaniteux /vaniˈtø/ Conceited C1Advanced#
  7. Effronté /efʁɔ̃ˈte/ Impudent C1Advanced#
  8. Querelleur /kəʁɛˈlœʁ/ Quarrelsome C1Advanced#
  9. Hideux /iˈdø/ Hideous B2Advanced#
  10. Prévoyant /pʁevwaˈjɑ̃/ Long-sighted B2Advanced#
  11. Agité /aʒiˈte/ Fidgety B1Intermediate#
  12. Charmant /ʃaʁˈmɑ̃/ Charming A2Intermediate#
  13. Mauvais /moˈvɛ/ Nasty A1Elementary#
  14. Gentil /ʒɑ̃ˈti/ Nice A1Elementary#
  15. Mollasson /mɔlaˈsɔ̃/ le pl. les mollassons Couch potato C1Advanced#
  16. Sournois /suʁˈnwa/ Sneaky B2Advanced#
  17. Espiègle /ɛsˈpjɛɡl/ Playful C1Advanced#
  18. Cupide /kyˈpid/ Greedy C1Advanced#
  19. Ouvert d'esprit /uvɛʁ dɛsˈpʁi/ Broad-minded B1Intermediate#
  20. Attirant /atiˈʁɑ̃/ Appealing B1Intermediate#
  21. Bénin /beˈnɛ̃/ Benign B2Advanced#
  22. Attentif /atɑ̃ˈtif/ Attentive A2Intermediate#
  23. Attentionné /atɑ̃sjɔˈne/ Caring B1Intermediate#
  24. Hautain /oˈtɛ̃/ Haughty C1Advanced#
  25. Servile /sɛʁˈvil/ Servile C1Advanced#
  26. Effacé /efaˈse/ Unobtrusive B2Advanced#
  27. Irascible /iʁaˈsibl/ Irascible C1Advanced#
  28. Malfaisant /malfəˈzɑ̃/ Evil C1Advanced#
  29. Introverti /ɛ̃tʁɔvɛʁˈti/ Introverted B2Intermediate#
  30. Indiscret /ɛ̃disˈkʁɛ/ Nosy B1Intermediate#
  31. Respectueux /ʁɛspɛkˈtɥø/ Respectful B1Intermediate#
  32. Brave /ˈbʁav/ Brave B1Intermediate#
  33. Lâche /ˈlɑʃ/ le/la pl. les lâches Coward B1Intermediate#
  34. Comportement /kɔ̃pɔʁtəˈmɑ̃/ le pl. les comportements Behavior B1Intermediate#
  35. Optimiste /ɔptiˈmist/ l' pl. les optimistes Optimist B1Intermediate#
  36. Pessimiste /pɛsiˈmist/ Pessimistic B1Intermediate#
  37. Franc /ˈfʁɑ̃/ Frank B1Intermediate#
  38. Sociable /sɔˈsjabl/ Sociable A2Intermediate#
  39. Aventureux /avɑ̃tyˈʁø/ Adventurous B2Intermediate#
  40. Imaginatif /imaʒinaˈtif/ Imaginative B2Intermediate#
  41. Velléitaire /veleiˈtɛʁ/ Weak-willed C2Advanced#
  42. Chanceux /ʃɑ̃ˈsø/ Lucky A2Intermediate#
  43. Gai /ˈɡɛ/ Jolly A2Elementary#
  44. Sens de l'humour /sɑ̃s də lyˈmuʁ/ le Sense of humor A2Intermediate#
  45. Futé /fyˈte/ Shrewd B2Intermediate#
  46. Astucieux /astyˈsjø/ Clever B2Intermediate#
  47. Curieux /kyˈʁjø/ Curious A2Intermediate#
  48. Immature /imaˈtyʁ/ Immature B2Intermediate#
  49. Mature /maˈtyʁ/ Mature B2Intermediate#
  50. Indépendant /ɛ̃depɑ̃ˈdɑ̃/ Independent B1Intermediate#
  51. Sainte-nitouche /sɛ̃t niˈtuʃ/ la pl. les saintes-nitouches Goody-goody C1Advanced#
  52. Souillon /suˈjɔ̃/ le/la pl. les souillons Sloven C1Advanced#
  53. Fidèle /fiˈdɛl/ Faithful B1Intermediate#
  54. Confiant /kɔ̃ˈfjɑ̃/ Confident B1Intermediate#
  55. Digne de confiance /diɲ də kɔ̃ˈfjɑ̃s/ Trustworthy B1Intermediate#
  56. Méfiant /meˈfjɑ̃/ Distrustful B1Intermediate#
  57. Créatif /kʁeaˈtif/ Creative B1Intermediate#
  58. Agressif /aɡʁɛˈsif/ Aggressive B1Intermediate#
  59. Calme /ˈkalm/ Calm A1Elementary#
  60. Nerveux /nɛʁˈvø/ Nervous A2Elementary#
  61. Bête /ˈbɛt/ Silly A2Elementary#
  62. Intelligent /ɛ̃teliˈʒɑ̃/ Intelligent A1Elementary#
  63. Stupide /styˈpid/ Stupid A2Elementary#
  64. Personnalité /pɛʁsɔnaliˈte/ la pl. les personnalités Personality B1Intermediate#
  65. Insouciant /ɛ̃suˈsjɑ̃/ Carefree B2Intermediate#
  66. Rebelle /ʁəˈbɛl/ Rebellious B1Intermediate#
  67. Imbécile /ɛ̃beˈsil/ l' pl. les imbéciles Blockhead B1Intermediate#
  68. Hypocrite /ipɔˈkʁit/ Two-faced B2Intermediate#
  69. Sentimental /sɑ̃timɑ̃ˈtal/ Sentimental B1Intermediate#
  70. Facile à vivre /fasil a ˈvivʁ/ Easygoing B1Intermediate#
  71. Grognon /ɡʁɔˈɲɔ̃/ Grumpy B1Intermediate#
  72. Hystérique /isteˈʁik/ Hysterical B2Intermediate#
  73. Impoli /ɛ̃pɔˈli/ Rude A2Elementary#
  74. Poli /pɔˈli/ Polite A2Elementary#
  75. Affectueux /afɛkˈtɥø/ Affectionate B1Intermediate#
  76. Malhonnête /malɔˈnɛt/ Deceitful B1Intermediate#
  77. Prétentieux /pʁetɑ̃ˈsjø/ Self-important B2Intermediate#
  78. Narcissique /naʁsiˈsik/ Narcissistic B2Intermediate#
  79. Têtu /teˈty/ Stubborn B1Intermediate#
  80. Malin /maˈlɛ̃/ Cunning B1Intermediate#
  81. Décidé /desiˈde/ Decisive B1Intermediate#
  82. Impulsif /ɛ̃pylˈsif/ Impulsive B2Intermediate#
  83. Vieux jeu /vjø ˈʒø/ Fuddy-duddy B2Intermediate#
  84. Terre-à-terre /tɛʁ a ˈtɛʁ/ Down-to-earth B2Intermediate#
  85. Vantard /vɑ̃ˈtaʁ/ Boastful B2Intermediate#
  86. Maladroit /malaˈdʁwa/ Clumsy B1Intermediate#
  87. Cultivé /kyltiˈve/ Cultured B1Intermediate#
  88. Peureux /pøˈʁø/ Fearful B1Intermediate#
  89. Sérieux /seˈʁjø/ Serious A2Elementary#
  90. Honnête /ɔˈnɛt/ Honest A2Elementary#
  91. Paresseux /paʁɛˈsø/ Lazy A2Elementary#
  92. Modeste /mɔˈdɛst/ Modest B1Intermediate#
  93. Raisonnable /ʁɛzɔˈnabl/ Reasonable B1Intermediate#
  94. Mou /ˈmu/ Sluggish B1Intermediate#
  95. Rusé /ʁyˈze/ Sly B1Intermediate#
  96. Méchant /meˈʃɑ̃/ Wicked A2Elementary#
  97. Radin /ʁaˈdɛ̃/ Stingy B1Intermediate#
  98. Hilarant /ilaˈʁɑ̃/ Hilarious B2Intermediate#
  99. Sincère /sɛ̃ˈsɛʁ/ Sincere B1Intermediate#
  100. Exigeant /ɛɡziˈʒɑ̃/ Demanding B1Intermediate#
  101. Désagréable /dezaɡʁeˈabl/ Unpleasant A2Intermediate#
  102. Désordonné /dezɔʁdɔˈne/ Messy A2Intermediate#
  103. Responsable /ʁɛspɔ̃ˈsabl/ Responsible A2Intermediate#
  104. Sensible /sɑ̃ˈsibl/ Sensitive A2Intermediate#
  105. Brusque /ˈbʁysk/ Blunt B2Intermediate#
  106. Chaleureux /ʃaløˈʁø/ Warm B1Intermediate#
  107. Cruel /kʁyˈɛl/ Cruel B1Intermediate#
  108. Menteur /mɑ̃ˈtœʁ/ le pl. les menteurs Liar A2Intermediate#
  109. Ponctuel /pɔ̃kˈtɥɛl/ Punctual A2Intermediate#
  110. Susceptible /sysɛpˈtibl/ Touchy B2Intermediate#
  111. Impatient /ɛ̃paˈsjɑ̃/ Impatient A2Intermediate#
  112. Solitaire /sɔliˈtɛʁ/ Lonely B1Intermediate#
  113. Bizarre /biˈzaʁ/ Weird A2Intermediate#
  114. Serviable /sɛʁˈvjabl/ Helpful B1Intermediate#
  115. Amical /amiˈkal/ Friendly A2Elementary#
  116. Spontané /spɔ̃taˈne/ Spontaneous B2Intermediate#
  117. Énergique /enɛʁˈʒik/ Energetic B1Intermediate#
  118. Soigné /swaˈɲe/ Neat B1Intermediate#
  119. Matérialiste /mateʁjaˈlist/ Materialistic B2Intermediate#
  120. Irresponsable /iʁɛspɔ̃ˈsabl/ Irresponsible B1Intermediate#
  121. Insistant /ɛ̃sisˈtɑ̃/ Pushy B2Intermediate#
  122. Ambitieux /ɑ̃biˈsjø/ Ambitious B1Intermediate#
  123. Arrogant /aʁɔˈɡɑ̃/ Arrogant B1Intermediate#
  124. Sympathique /sɛ̃paˈtik/ Likeable A1Elementary#
  125. Émotif /emɔˈtif/ Emotional B2Intermediate#
  126. Timide /tiˈmid/ Shy A2Elementary#
  127. Amusant /amyˈzɑ̃/ Funny A1Elementary#
  128. Tranquille /tʁɑ̃ˈkil/ Quiet A2Elementary#
  129. Fiable /ˈfjabl/ Reliable B1Intermediate#
  130. Loyal /lwaˈjal/ Loyal B2Intermediate#
  131. Bavard /baˈvaʁ/ Chatty A2Elementary#
  132. Élégant /eleˈɡɑ̃/ Elegant B1Elementary#
  133. Convaincant /kɔ̃vɛ̃ˈkɑ̃/ Compelling B2Intermediate#
  134. Persuasif /pɛʁsɥaˈzif/ Persuasive B2Intermediate#
  135. Créativité /kʁeativiˈte/ la Creativity B2Intermediate#
  136. Tolérance /tɔleˈʁɑ̃s/ la Tolerance B2Intermediate#
  137. Tolérant /tɔleˈʁɑ̃/ Tolerant B1Intermediate#
  138. Tolérer /tɔleˈʁe/ a toléré Tolerate B2Intermediate#
  139. Consciencieux /kɔ̃sjɑ̃ˈsjø/ Conscientious B2Intermediate#
  140. Tempérament /tɑ̃peʁaˈmɑ̃/ le pl. les tempéraments Temperament B2Intermediate#
  141. Polyvalent /pɔlivaˈlɑ̃/ Versatile B2Intermediate#
  142. Sensé /sɑ̃ˈse/ Sensible B1Intermediate#
  143. Autoritaire /otɔʁiˈtɛʁ/ Bossy B1Intermediate#
  144. Habile /aˈbil/ Skillful B2Intermediate#
  145. Courageux /kuʁaˈʒø/ Courageous A2Elementary#
  146. Jaloux /ʒaˈlu/ Jealous A2Elementary#
  147. Endormi /ɑ̃dɔʁˈmi/ Asleep A2Elementary#
  148. Actif /akˈtif/ Active A2Elementary#
  149. Fier /ˈfjɛʁ/ Proud A2Elementary#
  150. Humour /yˈmuʁ/ l' Humour A2Elementary#
  151. Généreux /ʒeneˈʁø/ Generous A2Elementary#
  152. Maturité /matyʁiˈte/ la Maturity B2Intermediate#
  153. Remarquable /ʁəmaʁˈkabl/ Outstanding B1Intermediate#
  154. Hostile /ɔsˈtil/ Hostile B2Intermediate#
  155. Nature humaine /natyʁ yˈmɛn/ la Human nature B2Intermediate#
  156. Tendre /ˈtɑ̃dʁ/ Tender B1Elementary#
  157. Mauvais caractère /movɛ kaʁakˈtɛʁ/ le pl. les mauvais caractères Temper A2Elementary#
  158. Sage /ˈsaʒ/ Wise B1Elementary#
  159. Stricte /ˈstʁikt/ Strict B1Elementary#
  160. Égoïste /eɡɔˈist/ Selfish A2Elementary#
  161. Prudent /pʁyˈdɑ̃/ Careful B1Elementary#
  162. Déloyal /delwaˈjal/ Disloyal B2Intermediate#
  163. Charitable /ʃaʁiˈtabl/ Charitable B2Intermediate#
  164. Trait /ˈtʁɛ/ le pl. les traits Trait B1Intermediate#
  165. Humble /ˈœ̃bl/ Humble B2Intermediate#
  166. Moral /mɔˈʁal/ le Moral B1Intermediate#
  167. Persistant /pɛʁsisˈtɑ̃/ Persistent B2Intermediate#
  168. Désireux /deziˈʁø/ Eager B2Intermediate#
  169. Qui fait confiance /ki fɛ kɔ̃ˈfjɑ̃s/ Trusting B1Intermediate#
  170. Gauche /ˈɡoʃ/ Awkward B2Intermediate#
  171. Qui a bon caractère /ki a bɔ̃ kaʁakˈtɛʁ/ Good-tempered B1Intermediate#
  172. Insolent /ɛ̃sɔˈlɑ̃/ Cheeky B1Intermediate#
  173. Odieux /ɔˈdjø/ Obnoxious B2Intermediate#
  174. Qui a de l'assurance /ki a də lasyˈʁɑ̃s/ Assertive B2Intermediate#
  175. Raffiné /ʁafiˈne/ Sophisticated B2Intermediate#
  176. Audacieux /odaˈsjø/ Audacious B2Intermediate#
  177. Dur à cuire /dyʁ a ˈkɥiʁ/ Hard as nails B2Intermediate#
  178. D'humeur égale /dymœʁ eˈɡal/ Even-tempered B2Intermediate#
  179. Féroce /feˈʁɔs/ Ferocious B2Intermediate#
  180. Qui se contente de critiquer /ki sə kɔ̃tɑ̃t də kʁitiˈke/ Armchair critic B2Intermediate#
  181. Docile /dɔˈsil/ Docile B2Intermediate#
  182. Économe /ekɔˈnɔm/ Thrifty B1Intermediate#
  183. Prévenant /pʁevəˈnɑ̃/ Thoughtful B2Intermediate#
  184. Aimant /ɛˈmɑ̃/ Loving B2Intermediate#
  185. Qui fait preuve de tact /ki fɛ pʁœv də ˈtakt/ Tactful B2Intermediate#
  186. Qui réussit /ki ʁeyˈsi/ Successful A2Intermediate#
  187. Défaut de caractère /defo də kaʁakˈtɛʁ/ le pl. les défauts de caractère Character flaw B1Intermediate#
  188. Irréfléchi /iʁefleˈʃi/ Thoughtless B2Intermediate#
  189. Studieux /styˈdjø/ Studious B2Intermediate#
  190. Au grand cœur /o ɡʁɑ̃ ˈkœʁ/ Kind-hearted B1Intermediate#

Rules to remember

  • Calme and Sociable have the same spelling in the masculine and feminine singular. Their final -e does not indicate feminine gender on its own.
  • Adjectives ending in -if, such as Attentif and Créatif, form the feminine by replacing -if with -ive.
  • Sérieux and Nerveux already end in -x in the masculine singular, so their spelling stays the same in the masculine plural.

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