German for Beginners: Describing Personality – Say 'He's outgoing' or 'She's a bit shy'
Learn to describe someone's character in German: say 'Er ist kontaktfreudig' (He's outgoing) or 'Sie ist etwas schüchtern' (She's a bit shy), and compare personalities using comparative forms.
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In this lesson, you will learn how to describe people's personalities in German, focusing on character rather than physical appearance. You will practice key adjectives like 'kontaktfreudig' (outgoing) and 'schüchtern' (shy), and learn how to compare people using comparative structures such as 'als' (than) and 'genauso ... wie' (as ... as). By the end, you will be able to talk about whether someone is more outgoing or a bit shy, and compare two people's characters in everyday German.
By the end, you can…
- describe someone's personality using adjectives like 'kontaktfreudig' and 'schüchtern'.
- compare two people's characters using comparative forms and 'als' or 'genauso ... wie'.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Er ist kontaktfreudig.
He's outgoing.
air ist kon-TAKT-froy-dich
Use 'kontaktfreudig' to describe someone who enjoys meeting people and is sociable. It's a neutral, positive adjective.
Sie ist etwas schüchtern.
She's a bit shy.
zee ist ET-vas SHÜCH-tern
'Etwas' softens the adjective, meaning 'a bit'. 'Schüchtern' describes someone who is reserved or shy.
Er ist offener als sie.
He is more outgoing than she is.
air ist OF-en-er als zee
Comparative of 'offen' (open) + 'als' (than). Use 'als' for comparisons of inequality.
Sie ist genauso freundlich wie er.
She is just as friendly as he is.
zee ist ge-NAU-zo FROYNT-lich vee air
'Genauso ... wie' means 'just as ... as'. Use it for equal comparisons.
Ich bin ein bisschen ruhiger.
I am a bit quieter.
ich bin ine BIS-chen ROO-ich-er
'Ein bisschen' means 'a bit'. 'Ruhiger' is the comparative of 'ruhig' (quiet).
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To describe personality, use the verb 'sein' (to be) + adjective: 'Er ist kontaktfreudig.' (He is outgoing.) For comparisons of inequality, add the comparative form of the adjective + 'als': 'Er ist kontaktfreudiger als sie.' (He is more outgoing than she is.) For equal comparisons, use 'genauso' + adjective + 'wie': 'Sie ist genauso schüchtern wie er.' (She is just as shy as he is.) Note that many comparative forms add '-er', and some take an umlaut (e.g., 'groß' → 'größer').
When to use it
Use these structures when talking about someone's character in everyday conversations, such as introducing a friend or comparing siblings. For example: 'Mein Bruder ist sehr kontaktfreudig, aber meine Schwester ist etwas schüchtern.' (My brother is very outgoing, but my sister is a bit shy.) To soften a description, add 'etwas' or 'ein bisschen'. In formal contexts, you might use 'zurückhaltend' instead of 'schüchtern' to sound more polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Wie ist dein neuer Kollege?
What is your new colleague like?vee ist dine NOY-er kol-EE-geEr ist sehr kontaktfreudig. Er redet mit allen.
He is very outgoing. He talks to everyone.air ist zair kon-TAKT-froy-dich. air RAY-det mit AL-enUnd seine Schwester? Ist sie auch so offen?
And his sister? Is she also so outgoing?unt ZINE-e SHVES-ter? ist zee ouch zo OF-enNein, sie ist etwas schüchterner als er.
No, she is a bit shyer than he is.nine, zee ist ET-vas SHÜCH-tern-er als airA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, directness in describing personality is often valued, but using softeners like 'etwas' or 'ein bisschen' can make comments sound more polite. Note that 'schüchtern' is neutral, while 'zurückhaltend' (reserved) may sound more formal. Regional differences are minimal, but in Austria and Switzerland, 'kontaktfreudig' is understood, though colloquial alternatives like 'aufgeschlossen' (open-minded) are also common.
One thing to watch for
Using 'wie' instead of 'als' in comparisons of inequality, e.g., 'Er ist größer wie sie.'
Try this instead: In standard German, use 'als' for comparisons of inequality: 'Er ist größer als sie.' (He is taller than she is.) Use 'wie' only for equal comparisons: 'Er ist genauso groß wie sie.' (He is just as tall as she is.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'She is a bit shy' in German?
Show a sample answer
Sie ist etwas schüchtern.
'Etwas' means 'a bit' and 'schüchtern' means 'shy'. You could also say 'Sie ist ein bisschen schüchtern.'
2Translate: 'He is more outgoing than she is.'
Show a sample answer
Er ist kontaktfreudiger als sie.
The comparative of 'kontaktfreudig' is 'kontaktfreudiger', and 'als' means 'than'. Alternatively, 'Er ist offener als sie.' is also correct.
3Make an equal comparison: 'She is just as friendly as he is.'
Show a sample answer
Sie ist genauso freundlich wie er.
'Genauso ... wie' is used for equal comparisons. 'Freundlich' means 'friendly'. You could also say 'Sie ist ebenso freundlich wie er.'
Use 'sein' + adjective to describe personality, add '-er' for comparatives, and remember: 'als' for differences, 'wie' for similarities. Soften with 'etwas' or 'ein bisschen'.
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