Background: This ESL podcast is about describing people. Here we learn different vocabulary to describe people as well as how not to describe people. This should help with your daily conversation skills and also if you are studying for tests such as the IELTS examination.
Discussion forum Lesson Below
Key Phrases and Vocabulary
Key vocabulary and phrases that are discussed in the podcast:
Positive person – someone who looks on the bright side of a situation
A positive person is someone who is often in a good mood regardless of their circumstances. If something goes wrong, a positive person will look for something good about the situation and how to make it better.
Apathetic – Someone who is unemotional or uninterested in something
A person is usually apathetic about certain things. Someone might be very apathetic about politics for example. Some people are apathetic about improving their lives.
Moody - Someone who’s mood changes frequently and easily. This word is used in a negative way and talks about people who can get into a bad mood very quickly over a small thing.
A moody person will often be happy for a while and then all of a sudden change to a bad mood because they get hungry, or the traffic is bad, or someone says something they don’t like.
Arrogant – acting like you think you are better than other people.
Someone who is arrogant might say something like, “I can’t believe you don’t know how to do that.” Often it is not what an arrogant person says but just how they act that makes you think they are arrogant.
Complacent – Content to a fault. When you are easily satisfied and have little motivation to improve.
Someone who is happy doing ok in school but not their best is complacent. Basically, anyone who could improve but is happy staying at the same level is complacent. This word is used in a negative way.
Snobby – Someone who ignores or looks down upon people they feel are inferior in some way.
Someone who is snobby will not want to talk with anyone who they feel is inferior in some way. A very snobby person might act rude to you because you aren’t wearing nice shoes or don’t have an expensive cell phone. You could say, “don’t be so snobby”, or “You are acting like a snob”.
Gullible – Someone who is easily tricked or fooled.
A gullible person will believe almost anything. If you tell someone that you are the president of a country or Bill Gate’s son, and they believe you easily, then they are gullible.
Pushy – Someone who tries very hard to make you do or believe something. They put a lot of pressure on you to change.
Aggressive sale’s people are often described as pushy. They don’t listen to your idea and keep trying to make you buy what they are selling. You could say, “I think pushy salesmen are really annoying.” Or “don’t be so pushy”.
Indifferent – It means you don’t have an opinion about it or you don’t care about it.
If someone asks, “would you like to have Japanese food for dinner, or would you rather have Indian food” and you don’t really care which one you eat, you could reply, “I’m indifferent”.
Chill – This is a very slang term that refers to someone who is“cool”. They handle things smoothly in social situations and don’t make a big deal of things.
This is often a word that young people use. You could say, “he’s really chill” or “she’s a pretty chill chick”. It’s very slang.
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September 11th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I like your lessons very much and I’ve been listening from the beginning. I especially like this one, because I learned not only the words, but also the North America culture. I hope I can see more lessons like this coming. Thanks Andrew and Ad. Excellent job.
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Hi,
My name is rajesh from India, your lessons are absolutely amazing and truly appreciated. I would request you to kindly place few more lessons as soon as possible.
Many thanks,
Rajesh.