español · B1 · vocabulary · 4 minutes
Personality and relationships
Describe character, trust, support, and how people get along.
Understand the choice
Go beyond bueno and simpático by describing character, trust, and the way people support one another. Combine ser + trait with relationship phrases such as llevarse bien, ser de confianza, and apoyar a alguien.
Core rule: Use ser for character and llevarse bien o mal to describe how people relate.
Notice it in context
Mi mejor amiga es sincera, paciente y de confianza.
My best friend is sincere, patient, and trustworthy.
Use ser for character and llevarse bien o mal to describe how people relate.
Me llevo bien con mis compañeros.
I get along with my colleagues.
Con introduces the other people.
Siempre me apoya cuando tengo problemas.
She always supports me when I have problems.
The pronoun me identifies who receives support.
What to remember
- De confianza describes a reliable person or service; confiado can instead mean trusting or overconfident.
- Llevarse bien is reciprocal in meaning even when the subject is singular: me llevo bien con Ana.
Common trap: Sensible is a false friend: in Spanish it usually means sensitive, not sensible. For sensible or level-headed, use sensato.