manual
/maˈnwal/
The Spanish word for manual is manual.
manual is a noun referring to a booklet that instructs on the usage of a particular machine or product.
Meaning: a booklet that instructs on the usage of a particular machine or product (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Manual de instrucciones is a common formal way to refer to an instruction manual.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, manual is an invariable word for gender, meaning it remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. The plural form of manual is manuales.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈnwal/
Did you know?
- The word manual shares its DNA with the English word 'hand', because both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root for 'hand'.
- In Spanish, manual can also mean a 'handbook' in a scholarly sense, such as a manual de historia. It refers to a concise reference work rather than just a guide for a machine.
- The word manual is used in Spanish to describe 'manual labor' through the phrase trabajo manual, which distinguishes physical tasks from trabajo intelectual.
Examples in context
- Usa el control manual.Use the manual override.This sentence shows how to use manual in the context of a manual control.Tatoeba #2056613 by lazarus1907, translation #1723946 by Spamster
- Su coche tiene cambio manual.Your car has a manual transmission.This sentence uses manual to describe a car transmission.Tatoeba #6592099 by arh, translation #9023335 by mccarras
- ¿Puedes operar una transmisión manual?Can you operate a manual transmission?This sentence asks about operating a manual transmission.Tatoeba #1230804 by marcelostockle, translation #32506 by Dejo
- Necesito el libro de instrucciones para armar este mueble.I need the manual to assemble this piece of furniture.
- Por favor, consulte la guía de uso antes de utilizar esta máquina.Please refer to the manual before using this machine.
- La guía del usuario está disponible en línea para descargar.The user manual is available online for download.
- Necesito el manual para reparar mi bicicleta.I need the manual to repair my bicycle.
- ¿Alguien tiene el libro de instrucciones del nuevo microondas?Does anyone have the instruction manual for the new microwave?
- Voy a escribir una guía de uso para este software.I'm going to write a user manual for this software.
- No puedo entender la guía del usuario en este teléfono.I can't understand the user manual on this phone.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are in the kitchen trying to set up a new appliance.
- SofíaJavier, ¿tienes el manual de la lavadora?Javier, do you have the washing machine manual?
- JavierNo, no lo encuentro por ninguna parte.No, I can't find it anywhere.
- SofíaMira, el manual está en la caja.Look, the manual is in the box.
- Javier¡Ah, qué suerte! Gracias, Sofía.Ah, lucky us! Thanks, Sofía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry manual, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manual, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
