manipular
/manipuˈlaɾ/
To manipulate in Spanish is manipular.
Similar to English, manipular is used to describe the psychological manipulation of people, as well as the physical handling of objects or data.
Meaning: influence or manage (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
manipular is a regular -ar verb in the past and future tenses, such as manipulé, manipularás, manipulará, manipulamos and manipularon. The gerund form is manipulando.
How do you pronounce it?
/manipuˈlaɾ/
Did you know?
- While manipular can be used for data, a common way to describe 'manipulating' or 'fudging' accounts or numbers in a business context is to use the verb maquillar, which literally means 'to put on makeup'.
- In Spanish, the word manípulo refers to a specific tactical unit of the Roman army, derived from the same root as manipular.
- If a person is being 'manipulative' in a social or emotional sense, they might be described as maquiavélico, a term derived from the political philosophy of Machiavelli.
Examples in context
- Ellos piensan que nos pueden manipular.They think they can manipulate us.This sentence shows how to use manipular in the context of others' thoughts.Tatoeba #4567459 by DarkHollow, translation #4563698 by mailohilohi
- No intentes manipularme.Don't try to manipulate me.This sentence is a way to tell someone not to attempt to manipular you.Tatoeba #2275529 by hayastan, translation #2275350 by CK
- La propaganda explota los registros emocionales del lenguaje con el fin de manipular.Propaganda exploits the emotional registers of language in order to manipulate.This sentence illustrates the use of manipular regarding the purpose of propaganda.Tatoeba #13474381 by Seael, translation #12800941 by AlanF_US
- Debemos ser conscientes de que no es ético manipular a los votantes.We must be aware that it is not ethical to manipulate voters.
- No te dejes engañar por sus palabras dulces, solo busca manipularte.Don't let yourself be deceived by their sweet words, they are only trying to manipulate you.
- No permitas que juegue con tus sentimientos y te manipule.Don't let them play with your feelings and manipulate you.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a coworker's behavior at the office.
- AlejandroCreo que él intenta manipular a todo el equipo.I think he tries to manipulate the whole team.
- LucíaTienes razón, es muy difícil manipular a una persona así.You're right, it is very difficult to manipulate someone like that.
- AlejandroNo debemos dejar que nos afecte.We shouldn't let him affect us.
- LucíaDe acuerdo, mantendremos la calma.Agreed, we will stay calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “manipulate” translations and entries manipular, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
