Describing people using compound words
written by Lilian Ndongmo. ESL Teacher
A compound word is usually made up of two or more words. How can you describe someone using compound words? This could be tricky (for some learners) but easy (if you have mastered the language enough to know how to manipulate it). Let’s look at five of such descriptions.
1. A one- woman man
Take a minute to guess the meaning of this phrase.
Answer: A one- woman man is a man who is stays with the same woman throughout the entire period of their relationship. Such a man is faithful to his partner / spouse and is usually interested in no other woman but her.
Example: Philip is a one- woman man.
Can you guess what this means? A one-man woman
2. A ladies’ man
A ladies’ man is a man who loves to be around women, loves to please and to be attentive to them and who has a lot of success with them. Women like to be around him, are attracted to him and sometimes fight over him. A ladies’ man is, in other words, a women’s magnet.
Are there any ladies’ men you know?
3. A people person
A people person is someone who enjoys being around people, who loves to, and can communicate well with people.
4. A people-pleaser
A people-pleaser is someone who tries very hard to make everyone around them happy. Other people’s happiness is more important. People-pleasers will do everything possible to continue to keep the people around them happy even when they are not.
5. A ‘yes sir’ person
A ‘yes sir’ person is someone who agrees to everything and anything that other people say.
So, among the five descriptions, which one are you? Do you know someone who fits any of these descriptions?