[Vocabulary] a kind character

[englishhobby]

Which sentence is more natural?

1) She has a kind character.
2) She is kind by character.
3) .... your sentence (using 'she', 'kind' and 'character')

 

[Raymott]

"She is a kind person."
Sorry, I can't think of a natural sentence with your three words.

 

[englishhobby]

Sorry, I can't think of a natural sentence with your three words.

It's okay. I asked this question because I am trying to think of some examples of the difference between 'character' and 'personality'. You can say "She has a jolly personality" (it describes how she behaves with other people). Why can't you say "She has a kind character" (to describe what she is like in character)? Maybe there still exist some examples where you can use a trait and 'character' in one sentence? (Except "She has a good character".)

 

[Raymott]

Yes, there are lots. "She is a person of good character." This is generally a [semi-] official judgement, rather than what you'd say about a friend. There are some situations where you could use either, but usually one is better than the other.

'Character' is used for people you don't know well, or who are in the public arena. It's more of a moral judgement. You are likely to lend money to someone of good character. A person without a police profile might have a "good character record" but a rather boring personality.

'Personality' is used for friends, family, and people you know. It's a personal judgement of whether they are generally likeable or not. If you invite someone with a great personality to your party, you will have fun. If you invite someone with a good character, you won't have your silverware stolen.
Naturally, a person can have both, neither or, as I've implied, either one or the other.

Characters can be good, honest, responsible, criminal, bad, sly...
Personalities can be kind, fun, caring, introverted, shy, outgoing...
Others might differentiate these in a slightly different way.

 

[tedmc]

He/she is of good character - I think you are more likely to come across a statement like this is in a letter of testimonial rather than normal use.

 

[Raymott]

I was including a testimonial under normal use of a [semi-]formal type.

 

[englishhobby]

Thanks to all, it's getting less and less confusing for me. So we can say 'She has a kind personality', right?

 

[emsr2d2]

I really can't see any reason to make it any more complicated than "She is kind" or "She is a kind person".