caratteriali

Caratteriali is an Italian term derived from the adjective caratteriale, which relates to character or temperament. In everyday language, the word describes traits or behaviors that stem from a person’s character, often emphasizing distinctive, pronounced, or idiosyncratic aspects of their personality. The form caratteriale is typically used to modify nouns or stand alone to discuss temperament in a general sense.

As an adjective, caratteriale is commonly used to describe people or their conduct. It conveys that someone’s behavior is strongly shaped by their character, sometimes with a suggestion of moodiness or volatility. For example, a person might be called molto caratteriale to indicate they are quick to react or change their stance depending on the situation. The expression is colloquial and may carry a mildly pejorative nuance, depending on context and tone.

As a noun, the plural i caratteriali can refer to people who exhibit notable temperament traits: those who are difficult, expressive, or particularly strong-willed. This usage is informal and can pair with other descriptors to convey a specific impression of a group or individual. For instance, “Quei caratteriali non accettano compromessi” highlights perceived temperamental traits rather than objective measures.

Related terms include carattere (character), temperamento (temperament), and temperamental (temperamentale). Caratteriali is mainly found in spoken Italian or informal writing and should be used with an awareness of its casual, sometimes judgmental connotation.