forja el carácter
/foɾxa el kaɾaɡteɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "builds character" is expressed in Spanish as forja el carácter.
This phrase is used to express that a difficult or unpleasant experience helps a person develop strength of personality and moral maturity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "forges the character". It uses the verb forjar, which means to forge or to shape metal, to imply a process of strengthening through heat or pressure.
Which one should you use?
The form forja el carácter is used for the specific action of character building, while the infinitive forjar el carácter is used when referring to the concept of building character in a general sense or as the subject of a sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase forja el carácter uses the third-person singular present indicative of forjar. This is the appropriate form when the subject is an abstract concept such as "hardship" or "suffering".
How do you pronounce it?
/foɾxa el kaɾaɡteɾ/
Did you know?
- While forja el carácter refers to moral strength, saying someone tiene carácter often means they are grumpy or have a 'short fuse'.
- While forja el carácter describes moral growth, the verb forjar is also used colloquially to mean 'making a fortune' or 'creating a future' from scratch.
- The Spanish word carácter descends from the Ancient Greek kharaktḗr, which specifically referred to an engraving tool or a stamp.
Examples in context
- La adversidad forja el carácter de una persona.Adversity builds character in a person.
- La práctica del deporte contribuye al desarrollo personal.Engaging in sports builds character.
- La educación ayuda a construir una personalidad fuerte.Education builds character.
- El voluntariado promueve la formación del carácter.Volunteering builds character.
- Superar los obstáculos te hace más fuerte.Overcoming obstacles builds character.
- Salir de la zona de confort te fortalece.Stepping out of your comfort zone builds character.
- Viajar te forma como persona.Traveling builds character.
- La responsabilidad te moldea como individuo.Responsibility builds character as an individual.
- Esas dificultades te forjan el carácter.Those difficulties build your character.
- Ese fracaso forja el carácter.That failure builds character.
- La disciplina forja el carácter de los atletas.Discipline builds the character of athletes.
- Vivir solo en el campo forja el carácter.Living alone in the countryside builds character.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a difficult job Alejandro recently had.
- AlejandroFue un trabajo muy duro y estresante.It was a very hard and stressful job.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, esa experiencia forja el carácter.Don't worry, that experience builds character.
- AlejandroSupongo que tienes razón, Lucía.I guess you are right, Lucía.
- LucíaSí, te hará mucho más fuerte.Yes, it will make you much stronger.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carácter, el, forja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
