A character entry method and apparatus in a terminal in which characters are grouped into a plurality of character sets and a representative character of each of the character sets is imprinted on a respective key are provided. In the character entry method, when a key imprinted with a representative character is pressed, characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character are displayed. When a directional key is pressed, the number or duration of key presses of the directional key is counted or measured. A character corresponding to the number or duration of key presses is selected among the displayed characters and entered.