temperamento
/tempeɾaˈmento/
The English phrase 'temper' can be translated into Spanish as temperamento.
Temperamento is used to describe a person's innate tendency toward a certain type of mood or their underlying disposition.
Meaning: tendency to be of a certain type of mood (noun)
Which one should you use?
While temperamento refers specifically to a person's innate temperament or mood tendencies, the word carácter is often used more broadly to describe a person's overall personality or strength of will.
How do you pronounce it?
/tempeɾaˈmento/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use temperamento to refer to a sudden outburst of anger, such as in the phrase 'to lose one's temper'. In Spanish, temperamento refers to a person's underlying disposition. When talking about losing control of one's emotions, it is more common to use carácter or humor.
Did you know?
- While English speakers might say someone 'lost their temper', a Spanish speaker would rarely use perder el temperamento for a sudden moment of anger. Instead, they would likely use perder los estribos, which literally means 'to lose the stirrups'.
- The word temperamento shares a root with the English word 'temperature'. Both come from the Latin 'temperare', meaning to mix or bring to a proper consistency.
- In Spanish, having a carácter fuerte is often a compliment implying leadership and strength, whereas 'having a strong temper' in English usually suggests volatility.
Examples in context
- Tom tiene un temperamento violento.Tom has a violent temper.This sentence shows how to describe someone having a violent temperamento.Tatoeba #3875891 by hayastan, translation #3832012 by CK
- Él pierde el temperamento con facilidad.He loses his temper easily.This sentence illustrates the concept of losing one's temperamento.Tatoeba #1363608 by marcelostockle, translation #290196 by CK
- A pesar de ser insultado, él consiguió mantener su temperamento.In spite of being insulted, he managed to keep his temper.This sentence shows how someone can manage to maintain their temperamento even when insulted.Tatoeba #1205565 by marcelostockle, translation #303374 by CK
- Su temperamento es fuerteHis temperament is strong
- Ella tiene un carácter difícilShe has a difficult temperament
- Tiene un genio explosivoHe/she has an explosive temper
- Su temperamento es fuerte cuando está molesto/aHis/her temperament is strong when he/she is upset
- Mi hermano tiene un carácter fuerteMy brother has a strong temper
- Tiene un genio explosivo cuando está estresado/aHe/she has an explosive temper when stressed
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing their different personalities.
- JavierYo tengo un temperamento muy tranquilo.I have a very calm temperament.
- MaríaEs verdad, Javier, nunca te enfadas.That is true, Javier, you never get angry.
- Javier¿Y tú? ¿Cuál es tu temperamento?And you? What is your temperament?
- MaríaMi temperamento es un poco más impulsivo.My temperament is a bit more impulsive.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry temperamento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries temperamento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
