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muñecas

moo-NYEH-kasmuˈɲekas

“muñecas” means “dolls” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

dolls

Also: puppets
NounfA1
A collection of three colorful toy dolls with different outfits standing upright.

📝 In Action

Mi hermana pequeña tiene muchas muñecas en su cuarto.

A1

My little sister has many dolls in her room.

Las muñecas de porcelana son muy frágiles.

B1

Porcelain dolls are very fragile.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • juguetes (toys)
  • figuritas (small figures)

Common Collocations

  • colección de muñecas – doll collection

wrists

Also: cuffs
NounfA2
A close-up illustration of a person's two hands and forearms resting on a surface, clearly highlighting the joints where the wrists are located.

📝 In Action

Me duelen las muñecas después de usar el ratón todo el día.

A2

My wrists hurt after using the mouse all day.

Ella siempre lleva pulseras de plata en ambas muñecas.

B1

She always wears silver bracelets on both wrists.

El doctor examinó mis muñecas para ver si estaban rotas.

B2

The doctor examined my wrists to see if they were broken.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • articulaciones (joints)
  • manos (hands)

Common Collocations

  • torcerse las muñecas – to twist one's wrists
  • movimiento de muñecas – wrist movement

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener buena muñeca – to have a good touch or skill (often in sports or delicate tasks)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "muñecas" in Spanish:

cuffs→dolls→puppets→wrists→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: muñecas

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'muñecas' to refer to a piece of jewelry?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
muñeca(doll or wrist (singular)) — Noun
muñequita(little doll (diminutive)) — Noun
muñequero(wristband or wrist support) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
chuecaspecas
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'muñeca' (and its plural 'muñecas') comes from the root word *moño* (meaning 'a knot' or 'a bow'). It referred to the small figure or knot of hair on a doll. Over time, it was also applied to the joint in the arm, likely because of its small, knot-like appearance where the hand connects to the arm.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: boneca

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'muñecas' means 'dolls' or 'wrists'?

You must rely on context! If the sentence talks about playing, toys, or bedrooms, it means 'dolls'. If it talks about pain, movement, jewelry, or arms, it means 'wrists'. Example: 'Me duelen las muñecas' (Wrists hurt) vs. 'Me gustan las muñecas' (I like dolls).