Want to describe your friends, family, or a new coworker in Spanish? You’re in the right place. In this A2 guide, you’ll learn high-frequency words and patterns to talk about appearance (apariencia) and personality (personalidad). We’ll practice using ser, estar, tener, llevar, and lots of everyday adjectives—and you’ll get mini-exercises along the way.

By the end, you’ll be able to say things like: “Mi hermana tiene el pelo largo y es muy simpática” (My sister has long hair and is very friendly). ¡Vamos!

Los verbos clave: ser, estar, tener, llevar

These four verbs unlock most descriptions in Spanish:

• ser = to be (essential traits): Ella es alta y simpática. (She is tall and nice.)
• estar = to be (temporary states): Está cansado hoy. (He is tired today.)
• tener = to have (features): Tiene el pelo rizado. (She has curly hair.)
• llevar = to wear/to have on (accessories, style): Lleva gafas. (He wears glasses.)

Use ser with personality and lasting features (height, build). Use estar with moods or temporary conditions (nervioso hoy). Use tener for hair/eyes/age. Use llevar for clothing, accessories, and facial hair.

María ojos verdes.

Apariencia: el look, el cuerpo, la edad

Common vocabulary to describe how someone looks:

• alto/alta = tall; bajo/baja = short
• delgado/delgada = slim; fuerte = strong; corpulento = heavyset
• moreno/morena = dark-haired; rubio/rubia = blonde; pelirrojo/pelirroja = red-haired
• pelo liso = straight hair; pelo rizado = curly hair; pelo largo/corto = long/short hair
• ojos azules/verdes/marrones = blue/green/brown eyes
• barba = beard; bigote = moustache; gafas = glasses
• joven = young; mayor = older; de mediana edad = middle-aged

Remember: Use tener for hair/eyes and age. Example: Tiene 30 años (He/She is 30 years old). Use ser for height/build: Es alto (He is tall). Use llevar for accessories/facial hair: Lleva barba (He has/“wears” a beard).

Personalidad: cómo es la persona

Use ser + adjective for personality traits:

• simpático/a = friendly, nice; amable = kind; educado/a = polite
• divertido/a = fun; serio/a = serious; tímido/a = shy; extrovertido/a = outgoing
• trabajador/a = hard-working; perezoso/a = lazy (use carefully); responsable = responsible
• tranquilo/a = calm; nervioso/a = nervous

Tip: Muy + adjective for intensity: muy simpático (very friendly). Un poco + adjective to soften: un poco tímida (a little shy).

Compliments y cultura: ser amable y natural

In Spanish-speaking cultures, compliments are common but often more subtle than in English. Be sincere, avoid exaggeration, and consider context.

Useful phrases:

• Es muy amable. (He/She is very kind.)
• Me cae bien Juan. (I like Juan / Juan gives me a good impression.)
• Parece muy responsable. (He/She seems very responsible.)
• Tiene unos ojos preciosos. (He/She has beautiful eyes.)

To soften descriptions, use un poco (a little) or bastante (quite): Es bastante serio (He is quite serious). Es un poco tímida (She is a little shy).

Soy 30. → Tengo 30 años. Use **tener + años** for age in Spanish.

Mini-práctica y frases útiles

Try combining verbs and adjectives naturally. Think of one person you know and write 3–4 sentences:

• Tiene el pelo ___ y los ojos ___.
• Es ___ pero a veces está ___.
• Lleva ___ hoy.

Useful patterns you can reuse:

• Es alto/bajo, delgado/fuerte. (He/She is tall/short, slim/strong.)
• Es muy simpática, un poco tímida. (She is very friendly, a little shy.)
• Hoy está cansado, pero normalmente es tranquilo. (Today he is tired, but he is normally calm.)
• Lleva gafas y tiene el pelo corto. (He/She wears glasses and has short hair.)

Quick recap

• ser for traits; estar for temporary states; tener for features (hair/eyes/age); llevar for accessories/style.
• Adjectives agree in gender/number and usually follow the noun in appearance phrases (ojos verdes, pelo corto).
• Be polite and natural with compliments; use muy, un poco, bastante to sound nuanced.

Keep practicing with real people around you. Describe a friend today—in Spanish—and notice how much you can already say. ¡Tú puedes!