Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| boneca | /buˈnɛ.kɐ/ (Brazil) /boˈnɛ.kɐ/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| boneco | /buˈnɛ.ku/ (Brazil) /boˈnɛ.ku/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
A doll is a toy in the form of a human. The term boneca can also be used colloquially to describe a person who is very beautiful or 'doll-like'. If you are referring specifically to a cloth doll, you can use the expression Bichinho de pano.
Which one should you use?
boneca is the feminine form used for a female doll, while boneco is the masculine form used for a male doll or a generic humanoid figure or figurine.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In European Portuguese, the term Marioneta refers to a puppet rather than a traditional doll and Boneca de trapos is the specific term used for a rag doll.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the feminine form plural, add an 's' to get bonecas. To make the masculine or generic form plural, add an 's' to get bonecos.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /buˈnɛ.kɐ/.
Did you know?
- For a more affectionate way to refer to a cloth doll, you can use the expression bichinho de pano.
- While boneca means 'doll', the related word boneco is used in Portuguese to describe a crash test dummy.
- In some contexts, calling a person a boneco can imply they are stiff, lack personality or are merely following orders like a puppet.
Examples in context
- Isso é uma boneca.That's a doll.This sentence is useful for identifying a doll.Tatoeba #4914962 by KimiP, translation #42293 by CK
- Dei a ela uma boneca.I got her a doll.This sentence shows how to say you got someone a doll.Tatoeba #2082378 by MarlonX19, translation #308904 by CK
- Ela me deu uma boneca.She gave me a doll.This sentence shows how to say someone gave you a doll.Tatoeba #2418934 by MarlonX19, translation #314228 by CK
- Aquela boneca é muito bonita.That doll is very beautiful.
- Eu comprei uma boneca para a minha sobrinha.I bought a doll for my niece.
- Ela adora brincar com bonequinhas.She loves playing with dolls.
- Minha irmã faz bonecas de pano.My sister makes cloth dolls.
- Ela dorme abraçada com a sua boneca de trapos.She sleeps hugging her rag doll.
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Mariana are looking at a toy in a shop.
- GabrielMariana, veja esta boneca!Mariana, look at this doll!
- MarianaEla é muito fofa, Gabriel.She is very cute, Gabriel.
- GabrielVocê quer comprar a boneca?Do you want to buy the doll?
- MarianaSim, eu quero esta boneca.Yes, I want this doll.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “doll” translations and entries boneca, boneco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
