Inklingo
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📖4 definitions
📚 manga has 4 definitions
A close-up of a long sleeve on a colorful knitted sweater.

manga

MAHN-gah

nounfA1
sleeve?part of a garment
Also:pastry bag?kitchen tool (manga pastelera)

📝 In Action

Prefiero las camisas de manga corta en verano.

A1

I prefer short-sleeved shirts in the summer.

Tienes una mancha en la manga de la chaqueta.

A2

You have a stain on your jacket sleeve.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • manga larga – long sleeve
  • manga corta – short sleeve
  • manga pastelera – pastry bag / icing bag

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener un as bajo la manga – to have a secret plan or advantage
  • manga ancha – to be very lenient or permissive
  • en mangas de camisa – to be in one's shirt sleeves (informal/casual)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender of Clothing Parts

When talking about clothes, 'manga' is feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up Gender

Mistake: "El manga de mi camisa."

Correction: La manga de mi camisa.

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing Shirts

To say 'short-sleeved' or 'long-sleeved,' just add the adjective: 'manga corta' or 'manga larga'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: manga

Question 1 of 2

If you are reading a Japanese comic book, which article should you use?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

manguera(hose) - noun
manguito(small sleeve / armband) - noun
mangazo(a strong spray of water) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'manga' always mean a comic?

No! In fact, its most common everyday meaning is the 'sleeve' of a shirt. It only means a comic when it is masculine ('el manga').

What is a 'manga pastelera'?

It is a pastry bag or icing bag used in baking to decorate cakes or squeeze out dough.