How to Describe a Person in English - Spoken English Lesson

英语口语 — 描述一个人

Hi, I’m Martin.

嗨，我是Martin。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you can learn how to describe a person who you know in English.

在本节课里，您可以学到怎样用英语 描述一个您认识的人。

Think about someone you know well.

想一想您很熟悉的某人。

It could be someone in your family, a close friend, someone you work with, or someone

那可以是您的家人、您的朋友圈里的、 和您一起工作的、

else.

或其他人。

How would you describe this person?

您要怎样描述这个人？

What does this person look like?

这个人看上去像什么？

What kind of personality does this person have?

这个人有什么样的个性？

Describing a person is useful in many situations, including speaking exams like the IELTS speaking

描述一个人在很多情形下是有用的， 包括口语测验，像是雅思

test or the FCE speaking exam.

口语考试或FCE口语考试。

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to describe a person in detail using clear, natural English.

在本节课里，您会学到怎样用清晰、 自然的英语来具体地描述一个人。

During this lesson, you’re going to practice, so you need to think of someone you’re going

在本节课期间，您会要去练习， 所以您要想一下您

to describe.

要去描述的某人。

It can be anyone you know well.

可以是您很熟的任何人。

Got someone?

想到了吗？

Great!

很好！

Let’s begin.

我们开始。

Part one: describing appearance.

第一部分：描述外表。

First question: what does he or she look like?

第一个问题：他或她看起来像是怎么样？

What can you say when describing a person’s appearance?

在描述一个人的外表时， 您可以说什么？

You can talk about the person’s height and build:

您可以谈论人的高度和身材：

"My brother is tall and well-built."

"My brother is tall and well-built."

"My friend Lia is medium height and slim."

"My friend Lia is medium height and slim."

"Craig, who I work with, is short and overweight."

"Craig, who I work with, is short and overweight."

Do you know what 'well-built' means?

您知道“well-built”意思是什么吗？

Someone who is well-built is broad and strong, with big muscles.

身材好的人是有很多肌肉、 肩膀宽阔、很壮的人。

You can also add adverbs to make your sentences more precise:

您也可以添加副词让 您的句子更精确：

"My brother is quite tall and well-built."

"My brother is quite tall and well-built."

"My friend Lia is medium height and really slim."

"My friend Lia is medium height and really slim."

"Craig, who I work with, is short and a little overweight."

"Craig, who I work with, is short and a little overweight."

Then, maybe add something about the person’s hair:

然后，也许添加有关那个人 头发的某些描述：

"He has short, brown hair, but he’s going bald fast."

"He has short, brown hair, but he’s going bald fast."

"She has long, dark blonde hair."

"She has long, dark blonde hair."

"He has curly, fair hair."

"He has curly, fair hair."

What does 'fair' mean here?

在这里，“fair”是什么意思？

It’s the opposite of 'dark', and you can use it to describe someone’s hair or skin.

那是“dark"的反义词，您可以用它 来描述某人的头发或皮肤。

Finally, what else can you say about the person’s appearance?

最后，其他您可以说的与那个人 的外表有关的是什么？

Imagine you’re describing the person to me, and you want me to be able to recognise

想像您正在向我描述一个人， 您想让我从您的描述里

this person from your description.

去识别这个人。

What could you say?

您可以说什么？

There are many possibilities, of course, but here are a few suggestions:

当然，有很多可能性，但是 这里有几个表达：

"He looks a bit like a younger version of Vin Diesel."

"He looks a bit like a younger version of Vin Diesel."

"She’s really beautiful, with very striking features."

"She’s really beautiful, with very striking features."

"He has a long scar on his right elbow."

"He has a long scar on his right elbow."

Do you know what 'striking features' means?

您知道”striking features“意思是什么吗？

In this context, 'features' refers to someone’s face.

综合这个上下文，”features“指的 是某人的脸。

'Striking' means that you can’t help noticing something.

”Striking“意思是您禁不住会 注意到的某事。

So if someone has 'striking features', it means he or she has a very unusual and attractive

所以如果某人有”striking features“， 那意思是他或她有一张很

face.

不寻常并吸引人的脸。

What about 'scar'?

那”scar“呢？

Scars are left over when you get a deep cut or have an operation.

伤疤是在您有一个深的割伤或 有一个手术时留下来的。

Okay, so now you should be able to make three sentences about the person you’re describing,

好，所以现在您应该能够造三个 句子来描述人，

like this:

像是这样：

"My brother is quite tall and well-built.

"My brother is quite tall and well-built.

He has short, brown hair, but he’s going bald fast.

He has short, brown hair, but he’s going bald fast.

He looks a bit like a younger version of Vin Diesel."

He looks a bit like a younger version of Vin Diesel."

Your turn: pause the video and make three sentences about the person you’re describing.

轮到您了：暂停视屏并造三个 描述人的句子。

Remember: height/build, then hair, then general appearance.

记住：高度/身材、然后头发， 然后一般的外表。

Could you do this?

您可以做这个吗？

If so, great job—we’ve only done one part, and you’ve already got the start of a good

如果可以，做得很棒 — 我们仅完成了 第一部分，您已经有了一个好的

description.

描述的开端了。

But of course, there’s more we can add.

但是，当然，有很多我们可以增加的。

Part two: describing positive characteristics.

第二部分： 描述正面特征。

Another question: what’s this person like?

另一个问题：这个人像什么？

Do you know what this question means?

您知道这个问题的意思吗？

It means I want you to tell me about the person’s personality.

那意思是我想要您告诉我 那个人的个性。

Let’s start with positive words you can use to talk about someone’s character.

我们从您可以用来谈论某人特征的 正面的单词开始。

Think about the person you’re describing.

想想您正在描述的人。

What good things can you say about him or her?

您可以说有关他或她的什么好事情？

You could describe someone as 'kind', but it’s better to be more specific if you can.

您可以描述某人是“kind”，但是如果您 可以，最好是更具体一点。

Better words to use are 'considerate'—meaning someone who always thinks about other people

更好的单词是“considerate” — 意思是 某人总是考虑到其他人

and their needs—or 'warm'—meaning someone who shows positive feelings to others and

或他们的需求 — 或“warm” — 意思是某人 显示给其他人正面的感觉，

makes other people feel good.

让其他人感觉不错。

Or, maybe this person is good at making other people laugh.

或者，也许这个人很 擅长逗其他人笑。

You could say they are 'funny' or that they have a 'good sense of humour'.

您可以说他们是“funny”或他们有 “good sense of humour”。

More generally, you can describe someone as 'fun' or 'entertaining' if people enjoy spending

更笼统地说，如果人们喜欢与某人 共度时光，您可以将某人描述为

time with them.

“fun”或“entertaining”。

What else?

还有其他的吗？

Well, for a friend, it’s very important that a person is 'reliable'—that you can

好，对一个朋友来说，一个人是 “reliable”是很重要的 — 您可以

depend on them to keep their promises and be there for you when you need them.

依靠他们来信守诺言，并在您 需要他们时会出现在您身边。

Similarly, you could describe people as 'honest' or 'straightforward'.

类似地，您可以描述人是 “honest”或“straightforward”。

If someone is straightforward, they’re honest, easy to understand and easy to spend time

如果某人是老实的，他们是 诚实的，容易理解

with.

并容易相处。

Straightforward people say what they think, but not in a rude way, and they don’t keep

老实人说他们想的，但是，不是用一个 粗鲁的方法，他们不会

secrets or gossip about other people.

保密或八卦其他人。

Let’s look at three more.

我们再看三个例子。

Most of us like spending time with people who are 'cheerful'—people who smile a lot

我们大部分人想和那些“cheerful”人相处 — 那些喜欢笑的人，

and are usually in a good mood.

以及通常心情很好的人。

Cheerful people are often 'positive' and 'optimistic'—they expect good things to happen.

爽快的人通常是“positive”和“optimistic” — 他们 期望好的事情发生。

So now you have twelve positive adjectives you can use to describe someone’s personality.

所以现在您有12个可以用来描述 某人个性的积极正面形容词。

Can you use any of these adjectives to talk about the person you’re describing?

您可以用这些形容词里的任何一个 来谈论您要描述的人吗？

When you use these adjectives, always try to add an example or a reason.

在您使用这些形容词时，总是尝试 添加一个事例或一个理由。

For example, don’t just say:

例如，不要只是说：

"My brother is really funny."

"My brother is really funny."

"My friend Lia is a very cheerful person."

"My friend Lia is a very cheerful person."

Add some details or examples to make your answer more interesting, like this:

添加一些细节或事例来让您的 回答更有趣，像是这样：

"My brother’s really funny.

"My brother’s really funny.

He likes making weird jokes, generally at the most inappropriate moment."

He likes making weird jokes, generally at the most inappropriate moment."

"My friend Lia is a very cheerful person.

"My friend Lia is a very cheerful person.

Even early in the morning, she’s always smiling and in a good mood.

Even early in the morning, she’s always smiling and in a good mood.

I don’t know how she does it!"

I don’t know how she does it!"

If possible, you could even add a story to really illustrate the person’s character.

如果可能，您甚至可以添加一个故事来 真正地说明那个人的特征。

"Craig, who I work with, is such an honest guy.

"Craig, who I work with, is such an honest guy.

I remember one time he found a wallet with £500 in a pub.

I remember one time he found a wallet with £500 in a pub.

It would have been easy to keep the money—there was nothing in the wallet to say whose it

It would have been easy to keep the money—there was nothing in the wallet to say whose it

was, but he said it wouldn’t be right to keep it, and he insisted on going straight

was, but he said it wouldn’t be right to keep it, and he insisted on going straight

to the police, right that minute."

to the police, right that minute."

Adding stories like this can really bring a description to life.

添加像这样的故事可以 真正地描述生动。

You’ve also seen some good ways to use these adjectives:

您也看到了一些使用这些 形容词的好方法：

"My brother is really _______."

"My brother is really _______."

"My friend Lia is a very ________ ." "Craig is such an _______ guy."

"My friend Lia is a very ________ ." "Craig is such an _______ guy."

Of course, you can change these and use them in your answer.

当然，您可以换掉这些，并在您 的回答里使用他们。

What about you?

您怎么样？

Pause the video, and try to use some of these adjectives about the person you’re describing.

暂停视屏，尝试使用一些您 要描述人的形容词。

Don’t forget to add details and examples to your description, or you can even add a

不要忘记添加细节和事例到您的描述 里面，或者如果可能的话，

story if possible!

您甚至可以添加一个故事。

Next, let’s look at part three: describing negative characteristics.

接下来，我们看看第三部分： 描述消极负面特征。

No one’s perfect, right?

没有人是完美的，对吗？

We all have our flaws, so let’s look at how to describe the bad side of someone’s

我们所有人都有缺陷，所以我们 来看看怎样描述某人

personality.

个性上糟糕的一面。

Many of the words you saw in part two have direct opposites which you can use.

您在第二部分看到的很多单词有您 可以用的直接反义词。

For example:

例如：

'kind' → 'unkind' 'considerate' → 'inconsiderate'

“kind” → “unkind” “considerate” → “inconsiderate”

'honest' → 'dishonest' 'reliable' → 'unreliable'

“honest” → “dishonest” “reliable' → ”unreliable“

Of course, there are other words you can use, too.

当然，也有其他的您可以用的单词。

Some people can be 'selfish' or 'self-centered'—they think about themselves too much, and don’t

有些人可以是”selfish“或”self-centered“ — 他们考虑他们自己太多，

think about the needs of others.

不考虑其他人的需要。

These two words have a similar meaning.

这两个单词有相同的意思。

Even more extreme, you can describe someone as 'self-obsessed'.

甚至更极端的，您可以描述 某人是”self-obsessed“。

A self-obsessed person only thinks about themselves, and doesn’t seem to realise that other people

一个自恋的人只考虑他们自己， 并似乎根本没有意识到

exist at all!

其他人的存在！

Not everyone can be funny, but you don’t want to be seen as 'humourless' or 'dull'.

Not everyone can be funny, but you don’t want to be seen as 'humourless' or 'dull'.

'Dull' is similar to 'boring', while 'humourless' means that someone has no sense of humour

“Dull”与“boring”类似， 而“humourless” 意思是某人没有幽默感，

and is too serious.

并且是太严肃的。

If someone doesn’t do what they say or doesn’t keep their promises, you’ve already seen

如果某人没有做到他们说的，或者 没有信守诺言，您已经可以看到

two words you can use: 'dishonest' or 'unreliable'.

两个单词可以用的：“dishonest” 或是“unreliable”。

Similarly, you could describe someone as 'insincere'—meaning that someone says things without meaning them.

同样，您可以形容某人是“insincere” — 意思是某人说的事情对他们毫无意义。

For example, if someone is always friendly on the surface, but they don’t really feel

例如，如果某人表面上总是友好的， 但是真正地感受不到他们

anything inside, you could describe that person as insincere.

内心的任何东西，您可以描述 那个人是不真诚的。

Their friendliness doesn’t mean anything.

他们的友善不代表任何东西。

Finally, cheerful people are always in a good mood, but what’s the opposite?

最后，开朗的人总是 心情愉快，但是相反呢？

You could describe someone as 'moody' or 'grumpy'.

您可以描述某人是“moody”或是“grumpy”。

Moody people’s moods change very easily, and they are often in a bad mood.

喜怒无常的人心情很容易改变， 他们通常心情不好。

Grumpy people never seem to be in a good mood and are always unhappy and negative.

脾气暴躁的人看上去从来都不会有好 心情，总是不开心和消极。

So now, you have twelve negative adjectives to go with your twelve positive adjectives!

所以现在，您有十二种消极的形容词 搭上十二种积极的形容词！

As before, when you use these adjectives to describe someone, try to add details or examples.

和以前一样，在您使用这些形容词来 描述某人时，试着增加细节或事例。

For example:

例如：

"My brother can be a little unreliable sometimes.

"My brother can be a little unreliable sometimes.

He often ‘forgets’ to do things he promised he would."

He often ‘forgets’ to do things he promised he would."

"Lia’s great, but sometimes I feel she’s a bit insincere.

"Lia’s great, but sometimes I feel she’s a bit insincere.

She says all these nice things, but I’m not sure she really means them."

She says all these nice things, but I’m not sure she really means them."

"My colleague Craig is so moody.

"My colleague Craig is so moody.

He’ll be fine one minute, then suddenly he starts acting like he hates everyone.

He’ll be fine one minute, then suddenly he starts acting like he hates everyone.

It makes him quite difficult to be around."

It makes him quite difficult to be around."

You can see how we often use slightly more indirect language to talk about someone’s

您能看到我们通常怎样用略微多一点 的非直接说法来谈论

negative characteristics:

某人的负面特征：

"My brother can be a little _______ sometimes."

"My brother can be a little _______ sometimes."

"Sometimes I feel that she’s a bit ________."

"Sometimes I feel that she’s a bit ________."

Of course, if you really want to be direct, you can be:

当然，如果您真的想是直接的， 您可以这样：

"My colleague is so ________."

"My colleague is so ________."

Now, pause the video and try to use these words and phrases.

现在，暂停视屏，并试着使用 这些单词和短语。

Make 2-3 sentences, and don’t forget to add examples and details!

造两 — 三个句子，并不要忘了 添加事例和细节！

Part four: talking about your relationship.

第四部分：谈论您的关系。

Finally, let’s add some details about how you know this person and your relationship.

最后，我们来添加一些关于您是怎么 了解这个人以及与您的关系的细节。

Look at three sentences:

看三个句子：

"We’ve known each other ________."

"We’ve known each other ________."

"We met ________."

"We met ________."

"We get on _______, because ________."

"We get on _______, because ________."

Do you know what 'get on' means here?

您知道“get on”在这里是什么意思吗？

By itself, it means to have a good relationship with someone.

就单词自身而言，它意思是与 某人有一个好关系。

You can add adverbs after 'get on' to give it different meanings.

您可以在“get on”后面添加副词， 来赋予它不同的含义。

For example:

例如：

"We get on very well."

"We get on very well."

"We get on well sometimes."

"We get on well sometimes."

Or you can make it negative:

或者您可以把它做成是消极的：

"We don’t get on very well."

"We don’t get on very well."

Okay, look at the sentences again:

好，再看看这些句子：

"We’ve known each other ________."

"We’ve known each other ________."

"We met ________."

"We met ________."

"We get on _______, because ________."

"We get on _______, because ________."

How could you complete them?

您可以怎样完成它们？

You could say:

您可以说：

"We’ve known each other for about ten years."

"We’ve known each other for about ten years."

"We met at university."

"We met at university."

"We get on really well, because we have a similar sense of humour."

"We get on really well, because we have a similar sense of humour."

Of course, there are many possibilities:

当然，有很多可能性：

"We’ve known each other almost our whole lives."

"We’ve known each other almost our whole lives."

"We met when we were babies, before we could even walk!"

"We met when we were babies, before we could even walk!"

"We get on well most of the time, although we argue sometimes, too."

"We get on well most of the time, although we argue sometimes, too."

Depending on who you’re talking about, it might not make sense to use all of these sentences.

取决于您在谈论谁，使用所有这些 句子可能没意义。

For example, if you’re talking about your brother or another relative, it doesn’t

例如，如果您在谈论您的兄弟或 另一个亲戚，谈论你们

make sense to talk about how long you’ve known each other or where you met.

互相认识有多久或是在哪里 认识的是没有意义的。

However, you can still talk about how well you get on and why.

然而，您仍然可以谈论你们的关系 是多么好，以及为什么。

You could also add how often you see each other, or what you like to do together.

您也可以添加你们双方有多常见面， 或你们喜欢在一起做什么。

"I don’t see my brother often, though we talk a couple of times a month.

"I don’t see my brother often, though we talk a couple of times a month.

When we meet up, we like watching films or playing cards."

When we meet up, we like watching films or playing cards."

Either way, try to make three sentences about the person you’re describing, like this:

无论哪种方法，试着造三个有关您正在 描述的人的句子，像这样：

"I’ve known my friend Lia for about five years.

"I’ve known my friend Lia for about five years.

We met because we worked in the same place for a few months.

We met because we worked in the same place for a few months.

We get on really well, because we have a lot in common: we like the same films, the same

We get on really well, because we have a lot in common: we like the same films, the same

music, and so on."

music, and so on."

"I’ve known Craig since July.

"I’ve known Craig since July.

We actually met at a mutual friend’s birthday party, and then we realised we work in the

We actually met at a mutual friend’s birthday party, and then we realised we work in the

same place.

same place.

We get on alright but we aren’t close.

We get on alright but we aren’t close.

We’re just different people and we don’t seem to have much to talk about."

We’re just different people and we don’t seem to have much to talk about."

Now you try!

现在，您试一下！

Pause the video and make three sentences about your relationship with the person you’re

暂停视屏，造三个有关您与那位 您正在谈论的人

talking about.

之间关系的句子。

Use the words and phrases from this section.

使用本单元的单词和短语。

Alright?

好吗？

Now, we have one more thing to do:

现在，我们还有一件事要做：

Part five: making a longer answer.

第五部分：做一个比较长的回答。

In this lesson, you’ve learned how to describe a person by:

在本节课里，您学到了怎样描述一个人：

talking about their appearance; talking about the positive and negative sides of their personality;

谈论他们的外表；谈论他们个性 的积极和消极的一面；

talking about your relationship and how you know each other.

谈论与您的关系以及你们 怎样互相认识。

Now, let’s put everything we’ve done together into a longer answer.

现在，我们把我们做过的每件事整合到 一个较长的回答里。

Here’s one:

这里是一个：

"My brother is quite tall and well-built.

"My brother is quite tall and well-built.

He has short, brown hair, but he’s going bald fast.

He has short, brown hair, but he’s going bald fast.

He looks a bit like a younger version of Vin Diesel.

He looks a bit like a younger version of Vin Diesel.

He’s really funny.

He’s really funny.

He likes making weird jokes, generally at the most inappropriate moment.

He likes making weird jokes, generally at the most inappropriate moment.

However, he can be a little unreliable sometimes.

However, he can be a little unreliable sometimes.

He often ‘forgets’ to do things he promised he would.

He often ‘forgets’ to do things he promised he would.

I don’t see him often, though we talk a couple of times a month.

I don’t see him often, though we talk a couple of times a month.

When we meet up, we like watching films or playing cards."

When we meet up, we like watching films or playing cards."

This answer uses examples you’ve already seen.

这个回答用了您已经 看到的事例。

Let’s do one more longer answer with original examples:

我们用原先的事例来多做 一个更长的回答：

"I’m going to tell you about a friend of mine, Sarah.

"I’m going to tell you about a friend of mine, Sarah.

She’s quite short and very slim, with light brown hair.

She’s quite short and very slim, with light brown hair.

She’s very pretty and she has a really nice smile.

She’s very pretty and she has a really nice smile.

Sarah’s cheerful and fun to be around, and she’s also very straightforward: you know

Sarah’s cheerful and fun to be around, and she’s also very straightforward: you know

who she is right away and it’s easy to feel comfortable around her.

who she is right away and it’s easy to feel comfortable around her.

I’ve known her for about twelve years now, since university.

I’ve known her for about twelve years now, since university.

We get on well because we have a similar attitude to life and we always have lots to talk about."

We get on well because we have a similar attitude to life and we always have lots to talk about."

Okay, now it’s your turn!

好，现在轮到您了！

Make a longer answer to describe someone you know.

做一个比较长的回答来描述 您认识的某个人。

Use the examples and language from this lesson to help you.

使用在本节课里学到的事例 和说法来帮助您。

If you want, you can post your answer in the video comments and we’ll give you feedback.

如果您想，您可以在视频的评论区发布您的 回答，我们可以给您反馈。

That’s the end of the lesson.

本节课到这就结束了。

I hope it was useful for you!

我希望它对您有用。

Don’t forget to check out more of our free English lessons on our website: Oxford Online

不要忘记在我们的网站上看更多的 免费英语课程：Oxford Online

English dot com.

English dot com.

See you next time!

下次见！