Characteristics

In Diamond & Pearl, and likely subsequent games, there is a little note in the status screen which describes the Pokémon. This is derived from its stats, specifically its Individual Values

The note seen on screen will post your Pokémon's highest IV. However, it is a bit more complicated than that as each saying corresponds to multiple IVs. To completely confirm, you should still use an IV Calculator.

The characteristics are for all stats and can easily on first glance help you choose what to aim your Pokémon for being in battle such as more defensive or more offensive. Below is a list of all the Characterstics and the IVs to which they correspond

Characteristic IV Value
Hit Points
Loves to eat 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Often dozes off
Takes plenty of siestas (XY) 		1 6 11 16 21 26 31
Often scatters things
Nods off a lot (XY) 		2 7 12 17 22 27  
Scatters things often 3 8 13 18 23 28  
Likes to Relax 4 9 14 19 24 29  
Attack
Proud of its power 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Likes to thrash about 1 6 11 16 21 26 31
A little quick tempered 2 7 12 17 22 27  
Likes to fight 3 8 13 18 23 28  
Quick Tempered 4 9 14 19 24 29  
Defense
Sturdy body 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Capable of taking hits 1 6 11 16 21 26 31
Highly persistent 2 7 12 17 22 27  
Good endurance 3 8 13 18 23 28  
Good perseverance 4 9 14 19 24 29  
Special Attack
Highly curious 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Mischievous 1 6 11 16 21 26 31
Thoroughly Cunning 2 7 12 17 22 27  
Often lost in thought 3 8 13 18 23 28  
Very finicky 4 9 14 19 24 29  
Special Defense
Strong willed 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Somewhat vain 1 6 11 16 21 26 31
Strongly defiant 2 7 12 17 22 27  
Hates to lose 3 8 13 18 23 28  
Somewhat stubborn 4 9 14 19 24 29  
Speed
Likes to run 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Alert to sounds 1 6 11 16 21 26 31
Impetuous and silly 2 7 12 17 22 27  
Somewhat of a clown 3 8 13 18 23 28  
Quick to flee 4 9 14 19 24 29