to build character
6
3.5
- phrasal verb
:
forjar carácter
- But in order to have those behaviours, we need to build character at the foundational level.
- sport builds character
The Initiation phase is what builds character within that protagonist.
- The Initiation phase is what builds character within that protagonist.
- Struggle doesn't so much build character as reveal it.
- The things that build character, the things that reveal character.
- Have something that you're doing that builds character, that evolves you, that grows you as a man.
- Trauma makes you funny, builds character.
- So I want to tell you, this activism doesn't build character.
- But I, I've, I've heard someone, I don't remember who said this, but the quote is not that adversity builds character, but adversity reveals character.
- When you're not training your mind to be positive, these dark times are so, so relevant to get your to get you to your next, excuse me, because it builds character.
Examples
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The more that you can make choices that build self respect and build character, the more you're capable of making more choices like that.
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For years, strong claims have been made that sport builds character.
Academic text (2005) -
I enjoy my kids reading books that help to build character and moral values!
Blog text (18) -
It's a tough choice, but it builds character, okay?
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We only still play the Games because my mom thinks trying builds character.
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During this process, I learned that waiting builds character.
Blog text (18) -
Struggle doesn't so much build character as reveal it.
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Adversity builds character, Mr. Tully.
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Suffering builds character.
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My teacher always says that facing challenges will help us build character and resilience.
Antonyms
How Developed
Surface Forms
Morphology
The combination of 'build' (to create) + 'character' (a person/role) gives a readily inferable sense of creating a character, so part of the meaning is transparently compositional. However, the gaming-specific nuance of customizing attributes/appearance/skills and the competing interpretation 'build character' = develop moral qualities make the exact sense context-dependent and not fully predictable for a B1 learner.
Etymology
Build character uses the simple image of building a house: each hard moment is like a brick that makes your character stronger. So, to build character means 'to develop good personal qualities' such as strength and honesty.