característica
nounCEFR B2High frequency
What does “característica” mean in English?
feature, characteristic
feature, characteristic (a distinctive quality or attribute; características técnicas; una de las características más notables)
Example sentences
La transparencia y la rendición de cuentas son características esenciales de cualquier institución democrática sólida.
Transparency and accountability are essential characteristics of any robust democratic institution.
El informe detalla las características técnicas del nuevo sistema de energía solar instalado en los edificios municipales.
The report details the technical characteristics of the new solar energy system installed in municipal buildings.
How to use it
La característica (noun, feminine) means 'feature, characteristic, trait' — a distinctive quality or attribute that defines something or someone. Very high-frequency at B2 in academic, descriptive, and analytical writing. Core collocations: una de las características más notables/destacadas; característica definitoria/esencial; las características de un producto/dialecto/sistema; tener como característica principal. The adjective is característico/a. Don't confuse with rasgo (a trait, often personal) or cualidad (a quality, often positive).
Common mistake
Característica is broader and more neutral than rasgo (personal trait, often linked to character) and cualidad (positive quality). 'Product features' = características (not *funciones, though funciones covers capabilities). The plural las características is standard in product descriptions and academic analysis. Don't use *feature as a Spanish word — it is not borrowed in formal registers.