💬 Communication ★ Core Say it yourself

Describing appearance

Describe someone’s basic physical appearance respectfully and identify people.

Use ser for general build/features, tener for hair/eyes and llevar for clothing or accessories currently worn.

Patterns to reuse
ser + alto/a, bajo/a, joven…
general appearance
tener + el pelo/los ojos + adjective
hair/eyes
llevar + clothing/accessory
to be wearing
Watch out for
Es pelo rubio.
Tiene el pelo rubio.

Hair is normally described with tener.

Tiene ojos marrón.
Tiene los ojos marrones.

Use the article and plural adjective.

Es alto y tiene el pelo corto.
He is tall and has short hair.
ehs AHL-toh ee TYEH-neh ehl PEH-loh KOHR-toh
Tiene los ojos marrones.
She has brown eyes.
TYEH-neh lohs OH-hohs mah-RROH-nehs
Lleva gafas y una camisa azul.
He/she is wearing glasses and a blue shirt.
YEH-bah GAH-fahs ee OO-nah kah-MEE-sah ah-THOOL
¿Quién es la mujer de pelo rizado?
Who is the woman with curly hair?
kyehn ehs lah moo-HEHR deh PEH-loh rree-THAH-doh
Build
alto/abajo/adelgado/afuerte
Hair
rubiomorenocastañocanosolargocortorizadoliso
Eyes
azulesverdesmarrones
Accessories
gafasbarbabigote
Try it out loud
production
Describe two people in a photo without naming them.
What to include

Use ser, tener and llevar.

identification
Ask who someone is based on one visual feature.
What to include

¿Quién es el/la…?

transform
Change a masculine description to feminine.
What to include

Adjust only forms that mark gender.

Happy with all of this?
  • I can describe build, hair, eyes and clothing.
  • I can identify a person from a simple description.

← Spanish at Home · LingoBrix home

Aligned to the Instituto Cervantes Elementary 1 and 2 syllabus. Nothing is sent anywhere: your progress is kept in this browser only.