muñeca
/moo-NYEH-kah/
wrist
The word muñeca refers to the wrist, the connection between the hand and the arm.
📝 In Action
Me torcí la muñeca jugando al tenis.
A1I twisted my wrist playing tennis.
Lleva un reloj muy bonito en su muñeca izquierda.
A2She wears a very nice watch on her left wrist.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even though this word ends in '-a', remember that all body parts, including 'muñeca', are feminine nouns and use feminine articles (la, una).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use the Article
When talking about your own body parts, Spanish often uses 'la' or 'el' (the) instead of 'mi' (my), as the context makes it clear whose body part it is. Example: 'Me duele la muñeca' (My wrist hurts).
Muñeca is the common Spanish word for a doll, a child's toy.
muñeca(noun)
doll
?children's toy representing a person
action figure
?sometimes used for collectible figures
📝 In Action
La niña pidió una muñeca de trapo para Navidad.
A1The girl asked for a rag doll for Christmas.
Colecciona muñecas antiguas de porcelana.
B1She collects antique porcelain dolls.
Colloquially, muñeca can be used to refer to an attractive woman, similar to "babe" or "dollface."
muñeca(noun)
babe
?attractive woman (slang, sometimes dated)
toughness
?skill or daring, used in phrases like 'tener muñeca' (to have skill/guts)
📝 In Action
¡Mira qué muñeca! Es la chica más guapa de la fiesta.
B2Look at that babe! She's the prettiest girl at the party.
Para ser un buen negociador se necesita mucha muñeca.
C1To be a good negotiator, you need a lot of skill/guts.
⭐ Usage Tips
Be Careful with Context
Using 'muñeca' to refer to a person is highly informal and can sometimes be seen as slightly objectifying or dated, depending on the region and context. Stick to 'guapa' or 'bonita' in formal situations.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: muñeca
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'muñeca' to mean a toy?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can one word mean both 'wrist' and 'doll'?
This happens often in language! Historically, 'muñeca' was a diminutive (a word for something small) related to a small, rounded figure. This word was applied to the toy (the doll) and also to the wrist, which is the small, flexible, and rounded joint that connects your hand to your arm.