characterization
characterization — noun
1. the way a writer, actor, or director builds believable personalities for the peo
the way a writer, actor, or director builds believable personalities for the people in a story so that the audience sees them as real
Leila's novel earned praise for its sensitive characterization of a teen in a new country.
sensitive characterization of [person]
The film's weak characterization left the audience unable to care about the characters.
weak characterization
Ravi's acting teacher said good characterization comes from understanding a character's fears.
The play's characterization relied too heavily on outdated racial stereotypes.
Critics described the show's characterization as shallow and unconvincing.
- portrayal
Broader — can refer to any subject (people, places, emotions), not just fictional characters.
- depiction
Emphasizes visual or detailed descriptive representation, often in art or writing.
- representation
More neutral and general; less focused on personality development.
用法筆記
Uncountable — used mainly in discussions of literature, film, and theater. Frequently paired with adjectives like 'strong', 'weak', 'sensitive', or 'convincing'.
常見錯誤
2. a way of describing a person, thing, or situation by pointing out what makes it
a way of describing a person, thing, or situation by pointing out what makes it special or different from others — for example, calling a protest violent, or describing a company culture as welcoming
Yara disagreed with the newspaper's characterization of the protest as violent.
characterization of [thing] as [quality]
Theo's characterization of the company culture was accurate but lacked detail.
Hana gave a fair characterization of the challenges facing the hospital.
Diego objected to the lawyer's characterization of the incident as an accident.
The judge rejected the prosecutor's characterization of the defendant as dangerous.
- description
More general and less formal; does not necessarily emphasize distinctive or defining qualities.
- portrayal
Suggests a particular angle or interpretation, often with subjective coloring.
- depiction
Emphasizes detailed representation, often visual or vividly descriptive.
用法筆記
Countable and formal — common in academic writing, journalism, and legal contexts. Often appears with an 'of' phrase or a possessive to specify what or who is being described.