For personality/traits:
* Caractère: This is the most common and general term for character, referring to a person's personality, traits, and overall nature.
* Example: "Il a un caractère difficile." (He has a difficult character.)
* Tempérament: This refers to a person's natural disposition or temperament.
* Example: "Elle a un tempérament de feu." (She has a fiery temperament.)
* Personnalité: While this translates literally to "personality," it can also be used to refer to a person's character, especially their unique qualities.
* Example: "Il a une personnalité charmante." (He has a charming personality.)
* Nature: This is a more general term for a person's inherent nature or character.
* Example: "Il est de nature gentille." (He is kind by nature.)
For a fictional character:
* Personnage: This refers to a character in a story, play, or film.
* Example: "Le personnage principal est un détective." (The main character is a detective.)
For the "character" of a place:
* Caractère: This can also be used to describe the unique atmosphere or "feel" of a place.
* Example: "La ville a un caractère historique." (The city has a historical character.)
The best translation will depend on the specific context and what you are trying to convey.