la joli caractère

You usually use this with the verb avoir (to have). You can say il a un joli caractère or elle a un joli caractère. It works for anyone regardless of gender. Just remember that caractère is always masculine in French. Even if you talk about your grandmother, it is un joli caractère. It is a gentle, sincere compliment.

Use it when meeting someone’s new partner. It is perfect for describing a well-behaved child. You can use it when texting a friend about a successful date. It also works in professional settings to describe a helpful colleague. It suggests they are easy to work with. It creates a warm, positive atmosphere in conversation.

Don't use it to describe someone who is 'tough' or 'edgy.' It implies a certain softness or sweetness. If someone is a 'bad boy' type, this phrase won't fit. Also, avoid using it if you mean they have 'strong' convictions. In that case, you would say they have du caractère. Don't use it for fictional characters in books; use personnage instead.

In France, your caractère is your essence. The French value personality traits very highly. They often prefer someone with du caractère (strength) over someone boring. However, un joli caractère is the social glue. It represents the ideal of being 'facile à vivre' (easy to live with). It’s a trait that makes French social gatherings much smoother.

You might hear un beau caractère, which is slightly more formal. If someone is difficult, they have un sale caractère (a dirty character). If they are very stubborn, they have un caractère de cochon (a pig’s character). For someone very strong-willed, use un sacré caractère. Each one paints a very specific picture of a person's vibe.