Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| manitas | /maˈnitas/ | feminine, masculine |
| todólogo | /toˈdoloɡo/ | masculine |
| hacelotodo | /aθelotodo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aselotodo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine, masculine |
| mentolato | /mentolato/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, masculine |
| milusos | /miˈlusos/ | feminine, masculine |
Spanish uses different words for a handyman depending on whether you want to highlight their manual skill, their tendency to take on many different types of jobs or if you are being slightly ironic about their many abilities.
What does it mean word for word?
The term hacelotodo is a compound noun formed from the verb hacer (to do) and todo (everything).
Which one should you use?
While manitas refers to a handyman's skill, todólogo refers to someone who claims to know how to do everything, often with a slightly skeptical or ironic undertone. Milusos is a colloquial way to describe someone who performs many different types of jobs or tasks.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term Técnico de Mantenimiento is used in a formal setting to describe a general handyman who specializes in maintenance tasks. Manitas is an informal term used to refer to someone who is skilled at fixing things. Milusos is colloquial.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word manitas is invariable in gender. The article (el or la) determines if you are referring to a man or a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈnitas/
Did you know?
- In many Latin American countries, calling someone a milusos can be a sensitive term, as it literally translates to 'a thousand uses' and often implies a person struggling with poverty who must juggle many low-paying jobs.
- The term todólogo uses the suffix -logo, which usually refers to a formal scientific degree like a biologist or geologist, to jokingly describe someone who claims to be an expert in everything.
- While hacelotodo sounds like a practical description, calling someone a todólogo can actually be an insult, implying they are a 'know-it-all' who lacks specialized expertise in anything.
Examples in context
- Contraté un servicio de arreglos domésticos para renovar mi cocina por completo.I hired a home repair service to completely renovate my kitchen.
- Conozco a un manitas muy bueno que puede arreglar esos muebles para ti.I know a great handyman who can fix those furniture pieces for you.
- Necesito contratar a un manitas para la cocina.I need to hire a handyman for the kitchen.
- Mi vecino es un manitas muy bueno.My neighbor is a very good handyman.
- El manitas ya arregló la puerta.The handyman already fixed the door.
Example conversation
In a living room where a shelf is broken.
- María¿Puedes arreglar este estante, Javier?Can you fix this shelf, Javier?
- JavierNo soy un manitas profesional, pero puedo intentarlo.I am not a professional handyman, but I can try.
- MaríaGracias, me salvas la vida.Thank you, you're saving my life.
- JavierNo hay problema, lo haré con gusto.No problem, I will do it gladly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handyman” translations and entries manitas, todólogo, hacelotodo, mentolato, milusos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacelotodo, todólogo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
