maniquí
/maniˈki/masculine
The Spanish word for mannequin is maniquí.
The term maniquí refers to a model of the human body used for displaying clothes.
Meaning: model of the human body used for the displaying of clothes (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of maniquí is maniquíes.
How do you pronounce it?
/maniˈki/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly add an 'n' before the 'i' (maniquín), but the correct Spanish spelling is maniquí.
Did you know?
- The word maniquí is a loanword from French, which in turn likely adapted it from the Dutch word 'manneken' meaning 'little man'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word maniquí is used colloquially to describe a person who is exceptionally thin or tall.
- In certain contexts, referring to a person as a maniquí can be seen as a backhanded compliment, implying they are beautiful but lack personality or 'soul'.
Examples in context
- En la exposición de moda, colocaron los maniquíes en el centro de la sala.In the fashion exhibition, they placed the mannequins in the center of the room.
- El diseñador de moda ordenó nuevos muñecos de prueba para presentar sus creaciones.The fashion designer ordered new mannequins to showcase his creations.
- Pusieron un maniquí nuevo en la vitrina.They put a new mannequin in the window display.
- Ese maniquí de la tienda es muy realista.That mannequin in the shop is very realistic.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are working in a clothing store.
- DanielElena, ¿puedes mover este maniquí?Elena, can you move this mannequin?
- ElenaSí, Daniel, lo moveré ahora mismo.Yes, Daniel, I will move it right now.
- DanielGracias, necesitamos un espacio más grande.Thank you, we need more space.
- ElenaNo hay problema, yo te ayudo.No problem, I will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mannequin” translations and entries maniquí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maniquí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
