A method of inputting characters in a portable terminal is provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of characters on a keyboard, detecting a touch on the keyboard, displaying one character corresponding to a key corresponding to the touch on the keyboard as enlarged relative to other characters upon detecting the touch, displaying the character, which is displayed enlarged when detecting a release of the touch, in a character input area upon detecting a release of the touch on the keyboard, and displaying a plurality of recommended words in a vicinity of the keyboard based on characters which have been inputted so far, at least one of the plurality of recommended words comprising the characters which have been inputted so far.