Appearance is definitely not the most important thing in a person. However, by external signs, we distinguish people from each other, so these features are important. To give someone means to allow other people to more fully imagine who it is. This skill is especially important in the work of a writer or journalist. The topic of this article will be in English. Examples will help you remember the vocabulary and better understand how to use it. Also, your attention will be offered several useful game exercises. We will consistently learn to talk about appearance, ours or someone else's.
General appearance and age
It is not difficult to draw a verbal portrait using English. starts with general data, which may include, for example, gender and approximate age. Use the following vocabulary:
- woman - woman;
- man - man;
- girl - girl, girl;
- boy - boy, guy;
- guy - guy;
- baby - baby;
- toddler - a child who is starting to walk;
- child - a child 3-10 years old;
- teen - teenager;
- senior (elderly) woman / man - an elderly woman / man.
Often, in order to more specifically say how old a person is, the words early, middle and late are used in English, after which the designation of tens is placed: 10 (teens), 20 (twenties), 30 (thirties), 60 (sixties), etc. e. This is best understood with concrete examples.
He is in his early fifties - He is in his early 50s.
She is in her late twenties - She is in her 20s (about 30).
A person of mid thirties - A person about 34-35 years old.
She is in her late teens - She is a teenager of 16-17 years old.
This is shown more clearly in the diagram below.
Of course, if you know the exact age of the person whose appearance you are describing, then you can give a number. However, keep in mind that in many Western cultures it is not customary to focus on how old someone is, especially when it comes to a woman.
height and shape
This topic is also very sensitive, but the description of appearance in English is indispensable without it. Below you will find a list of words that will help you. An interesting fact: in Russian, when talking about physique, we often use the word “complexity”; in English, complexion means skin color (usually referring to the face).
- dark complexion - swarthy or dark skin;
- light complexion - light skin;
- tanned - tanned;
- ruddy - ruddy;
- pale - pale.
To indicate growth, use the vocabulary:
- tall - high;
- short - low;
- medium height - medium height.
With a description of the physique, you need to be extremely correct so as not to offend a person. For example, if he (she) is overweight, then the most polite adjectives when describing a figure would be:
- plump - complete (about men and women);
- full-figured - full (mainly about women).
There is an interesting expression − curvy lady. It can be translated into Russian as “a woman with forms”, “figured”.
Other words to describe feminine and:
- slender - slender;
- slim - thin;
- well built - well built;
- muscular built - muscular;
- tubby - pot-bellied, stocky;
- strong - strong.
Hair and eyes, facial features
Everything is pretty simple here. The following list of words will help you make the most complete and varied description of appearance in English.
Hair (hair):
- dark - dark;
- blond - light;
- dark blond, blond-brown - fair-haired;
- red - red;
- dyed - dyed;
- thick - thick;
- straight - straight lines;
- curly - curly;
- wavy - wavy;
- shoulder-length - to the shoulders;
- bald - bald, bald.
Eyes (eyes):
- brown - brown;
- black - black;
- blue - blue;
- light blue - blue;
- green - green.
Useful phrases to describe facial features:
- thin eyebrows - thin eyebrows;
- thick / long eyelashes - thick / long eyelashes;
- full / thin lips - full / thin lips;
- snub / straight / bulbous nose
Special signs
Without mentioning special features, a description of appearance in English would be incomplete.
- mole - mole;
- dimple - dimple;
- freckles - freckles;
- wrinkles - wrinkles;
- mustache - mustache;
- beard - beard;
- tattoo - tattoo;
- scar - scar.
Practicing describing appearance
You can play a game with friends who are also learning English: the host thinks of any of those present in the room and describes his appearance; The task of the rest is to guess who it is. Such an exercise is useful when you have already mastered the basic phrases and speech structures for creating a verbal portrait. If there is no skill yet, then a good training will be a description of the appearance of people in a photo (for example, from magazines): first written, then oral.
For example, here is a description of appearance in English (see photo).
She is a young pretty girl in her early twenties. She's got beautiful blue eyes and elegant dark eyebrows. Her shoulder-length hair is dark brown and straight. She's got full lips and broad nose. Her face is all freckled. (This is a young beautiful girl in her early twenties. She has beautiful and graceful dark eyebrows. She has shoulder-length hair, blond and straight. She has full lips and Her face is all freckled).
young
Old - old [əʊld]
fat
Thin - thin [θɪn]
My mother is short. My mother is not tall.
She has beautiful eyebrows and blonde hair. She has beautiful eyebrows and blonde hair.
The girl has short hair and dimples on her cheeks. The girl has short hair and dimples on the cheeks.
- Impression - impression [ɪmˈpreʃn̩ ɪmˈpreʃn̩]
- medium height and built [ˈmiːdɪəm haɪt ənd bɪlt]
- hair
If you go in for sports every day and attend yoga classes, the figure will become beautiful, athletic, toned. Of course, the ideal figure is only part of the beauty. After all, only a combination of a beautiful body, spirit and mind can make a person beautiful, even if the facial features are generally ordinary.
If every day to go in for sports and attend yoga classes, the figure will become beautiful, athletic, fit. Of course, the ideal figure is only part of the beauty. After all, only a combination of beautiful body, spirit and mind can make a person beautiful, even if the facial features are generally ordinary.
I think I've gotten a little better lately. I need to sign up for a gym.
You are in great shape. By the way, you have wonderful freckles.
I think I have recovered a bit lately. I need to join the gym.
You are in great shape. By the way you have great freckles.
Composition Description of a neighbor
My neighbor Pavel Vasilyevich has a pleasant appearance, always a friendly and mischievous look. He is not very tall with a stately, toned figure. His face is long and swarthy, and his eyes are brown with golden rays.
Pavel Vasilyevich's eyebrows seem to be raised in surprise. He has thick, dark blond hair with graying, neatly combed back. I always see him in light clothes: white shirts, light gray sweaters, blue jeans or light trousers. Attention is drawn to the commander's watch, which he wears on his left hand, the numbers of which glow in the dark.
Pavel Vasilievich always greets with a smile and wishes you a good day. I want to say about him: “A bright man!”
Translation:
My neighbor Pavel Vasilyevich has a pleasant appearance, always a friendly and mischievous look. He is not very tall with a handsome, taut figure. His face is oblong and dark, and his eyes are brown with golden rays.
Brows of Pavel Vasilyevich as if raised from astonishment. He has thick, dark blond with gray hair, neatly combed back. I always see him in light-colored clothes: white shirts, light gray sweaters, blue jeans or light trousers. Attention is drawn to the commander's watch, which he wears on his left hand, the numbers of which glow in the dark.
Pavel Vasilyevich always greets with a smile and wishes a good day. I want to say about him: "Bright man!"
Dialog
Hello Sofia.
Hello. How are you doing?
Oh, you know, just wonderful! My cousin came to see me yesterday for the first time. Her name is Vita, she is 16 years old, like me. She is an amazing person.
Is it true? What is so special about her?
You know, she has a very interesting appearance - bright red hair, thin lips and brown eyes. .
I want to get to know her.
Sure, I'll introduce you to her tomorrow. She is also very polite, courteous, cheerful, smart.
Are you not praising her?
No, what are you? You'll see for yourself when you see it.
Thank you.
My pleasure. I just have to introduce you to this unique person.
Very well. See you tomorrow, then.
Till tomorrow!
Hello Sophia.
Hi. How are you?
Oh, you know, just great! My cousin came to me yesterday for the first time. Her name is Vita, she is 16 years old, just like me. She is an amazing person.
True? What is so special about her?
- You know, she has a very interesting appearance - bright red hair, thin lips and brown eyes. .
I want to meet her.
— Of course, I'll introduce you to her tomorrow. She is also very polite, courteous, cheerful, intelligent.
— You are not praising her?
No, what are you? See for yourself when you see.
It's my pleasure. I just have to introduce you to this unique person.
very good. See you tomorrow, then.
Appearance - appearancepretty
Good-looking
Charming - charming
Beautiful - beautiful
Handsome- handsome (about men)
Ugly - ugly
Unpleasant - unpleasant
Attractive - attractive
Hair
Straight - straight
Wavy- wavy
Curly - curly
Thick - thick
Thin - rare, thin
Long - long
Shoulder length
Black hair - black hair
Red hair - red hair
Brown hair
Blonde, fair - blonde hair
Brunette- brunette, brunette
Brown-brown (ka)
Blond, blonde (blonde, blonde)
Red - red, roaring
Face
Round - round
Square- square
Oval - oval
Angular- angular
Wrinkles - wrinkled
freckled freckled
Pale - pale
Fair - light
Swarthy - swarthy
Eyes
Blue - blue
Hazel-eyed
Green - green
Dark - dark
Gray
Forehead
Broad - wide
High- high
Low- low
Narrow- narrow
Large
Small - small
Nose
Straight
Snub- snub-nosed
Long - long
Pointed - pointed
Lips
Full
Thin - thin
Cheeks
Chubby (plump) - plump
Hollow (sunken) - sunken
Physique (Build)
Slim - slender
Skinny - skinny
Fat- thick
plump- full
Well-built
To have a good figure- have a good figure
Dialogues
- Look at that slim girl with fair hair, full lips and blue eyesYes, she is good-looking. I know her. She`s sister of my friend
May you introduce me to her
Sure
Look at that slender girl with blonde hair, full lips and blue eyes
Yes, pretty girl. I know her, she is my friend's sister
Can you introduce me to her
Of course
- I want to dye my hairWhich color would you like? Brown, red or black?
I don`t know. Can we help me choose?
I think brown is better for you
Ok
I want to dye my hair
What color would you like? Brown, red or black?
I don't know. Could you help me choose?
I think black suits you better
Okay
- I think I`m too fat. I'm going to go to the sport clubYou're not fat. You're a little plump
And I have a very long nose. I need a plastic surgery
Are you crazy?
No, I'm joking
- I think I'm very fat. I'm going to go to the sports club
You are not fat. You are a little overweight
And I have a very long nose. I need plastic surgery
You are crazy?
No I'm kidding
Description of a person's appearance
I met my friend Katya at school. We immediately became friends because we have a lot of common interests. It is nice and pleasant to talk to her. Kate is very cute and funny. She is of medium height, slightly taller than me. From early childhood, Kate studying dance, so she is very slim and well built. She has a light step and flexible moves. My friend has a round face and a slightly upturned nose. Kate has a good sense of humor, so she is often smiling. At that time small dimples appear on her rosy cheeks. She has big green eyes. In her eyes almost always you can feel enthusiasm and kindness. Kate has recently changed her hair style. Previously, she had a long blond braid. Now she has short hair, which is really suits her. I like to spend time with my friend. We never got bored together.
Translation: description of a person's appearance in English
Description of the girlfriend's appearance
My friend Katya and I met at school. We immediately became friends, as we have many common interests. She is a good and pleasant person to deal with. Katya is very nice and funny. She is of average height, slightly taller than me. From early childhood, Katya has been dancing, so she is very slim and well built. She has a very light gait and flexible movements. My friend has a round face and a slightly snub nose. Katya has a good sense of humor, so she often smiles. At the same time, small dimples appear on her pink cheeks. She has big green eyes. In her eyes, you almost always feel enthusiasm and kindness. Katya recently changed her hair. She used to have a long blond braid. Now she has a short haircut, which suits her very well. I like spending time with my girlfriend. We are never bored together.
You will surely find useful words and phrases that will help you compose description of a person's appearance in English. We advise you to pay attention not only to vocabulary, but also to examples. After all, they can be an excellent base for creating your own proposals.
Words to describe a person's appearance in English
Let's start with the most common words for descriptions of a person's appearance in English. If your girlfriend looks great, then you can please her with the following lexical units: beautiful (beautiful), pretty (beautiful), wonderful (beautiful), attractive (attractive), gorgeous (spectacular), good-looking (attractive). In order to emphasize that a man looks good, and not a woman, they usually use handsome (beautiful). Also, you can use good looking and attractive. What if you suddenly need to emphasize the opposite? Remember ugly (ugly, ugly) and unsightly (unsightly).
When describing a person's appearance in English, do not forget to pay attention to the following points:
1. Growth
tall (high), short (low), quite tall (quite tall), medium height (medium height)
2. Figure
slim (slim), fat (thick), skinny (skinny), thin (thin), plump (full, plump)
3. Age
young (young), old (old), middle-aged (middle-aged)
4. Face
round (round), oval (oval), thin (thin), a double chin (double chin), long nose (long nose), straight nose (straight nose), turned up nose (upturned nose)
5. Hair
long (long), short (short), curly (curly), bald (bald), straight (straight), untidy (unkempt), haircut (haircut), hairdo (women's hairstyle)
6. Hair color
a blonde (blonde, blond), fair-haired (fair-haired), fair (blond), brown-haired (brown-haired, brown-haired), dark-haired (brunette), red (red), gray (gray-haired)
How to describe the appearance of a person in English?
Now let's look at examples of How can describe a person's appearance in English.
This is a young man. He is rather attractive. The guy is of medium-height. He looks tired. He has short dark hair. His face is oval. His nose is turned up. The young man is thin. He is dressed neatly. He is wearing jeans, a shirt, a T-shirt and training shoes.
This is a young man. He is quite attractive. Medium height guy. He looks tired. He has short dark hair. Oval face. The nose is upturned. The young man is thin. He is neatly dressed. He's wearing jeans, a shirt, a T-shirt and sneakers.
