muñecas
/muɲekas/from spelling rules
The English phrase dolls is translated into Spanish as muñecas.
Muñecas is the general term for dolls in Spanish. If you are referring specifically to small figurine-like dolls or collectible dolls, you might use figurillas.
Which one should you use?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, the singular form muñeca can also mean 'wrist' in a biological context. For masculine dolls or boy dolls, you should use the masculine forms muñeco or muñecos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, muñecas is the most widely understood term for dolls. In Argentina, the term muñecos is commonly used to refer to dolls.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of muñecas is muñeca. The masculine form muñeco is used for boy dolls or male figures, and the masculine plural form is muñecos.
How do you pronounce it?
/muɲekas/
Did you know?
- The Spanish language uses muñeco for any small human-shaped figure, including snowmen muñecos de nieve and scarecrows muñecos de paja.
- The word muñeca is actually a diminutive of an ancient word related to the 'wrist' or 'joint', which is why the term for a doll implies something small and articulated.
- In certain slang contexts, especially in Spain, calling someone a muñeco can imply they are a 'puppet' or someone who is easily manipulated by others.
Examples in context
- Mary aún juega con muñecas.Mary still plays with dolls.This sentence shows how to use muñecas to describe someone playing with dolls.Tatoeba #8018051 by Seael, translation #5850918 by CK
- Mi hermana juega con muñecas.My sister plays with dolls.This sentence illustrates the use of muñecas in describing a sister playing with dolls.Tatoeba #763406 by Shishir, translation #1716587 by superdenden
- Mi hermanita juega con muñecas.My younger sister plays with dolls.This sentence uses muñecas to describe a younger sister playing with dolls.Tatoeba #10068263 by Shishir, translation #10068251 by CK
- Mi hermana siempre ha tenido muchas muñecas en su habitación.My sister has always had many dolls in her room.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are cleaning the playroom.
- MaríaMateo, pon las muñecas en la caja.Mateo, put the dolls in the box.
- MateoEstá bien, María. ¿Dónde están?Okay, María. Where are they?
- MaríaEstán debajo de la mesa.They are under the table.
- MateoYa veo las muñecas, voy por ellas.I see the dolls, I'm going to get them.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
