マネキン
manekin
The Japanese word for 'dummy' (a nonfunctional placeholder) is マネキン (manekin).
The term マネキン is used to refer to a mannequin or a human-shaped figure used for display purposes.
Meaning: a deliberately nonfunctional placeholder (noun)
Which one should you use?
While マネキン refers specifically to a human-shaped figure used in displays, the katakana word ダミー is used for abstract or technical placeholders, such as a 'dummy' variable in programming or a 'dummy' object in testing.
How do you pronounce it?
manekin
Did you know?
- The word マネキン traces its lineage back to the Dutch word manneken, which literally means 'little man'.
- Japanese uses the word 身代わり (migawari) for a 'dummy' or substitute who takes a blow or a punishment in place of someone else, often seen in samurai history and anime.
- In Japanese, if you want to describe a person who is a 'dummy' or a 'puppet' in a social or political sense, you would use 傀儡 (kairai) instead of ダミー.
Examples in context
- あほ？Dummy? / Are you a fool?
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are arranging a clothing display at a store.
- 結衣 Yui蓮、ここにマネキンを置いて。Ren, koko ni manekin o oite.Ren, put the dummy here.
- 蓮 Renはい、この服を着せますね。Hai, kono fuku o kisemasu ne.Okay, I'll put these clothes on it.
- 結衣 Yuiとてもいい感じに見えるよ。Totemo ii kanji ni mieru yo.It looks very good.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。完璧なディスプレイだね。Hontou da. Kanpeki na disupurei da ne.You're right. It's a perfect display.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries マネキン, CC BY-SA 4.0.
