人形|にんぎょうningyou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noundoll; puppet; marionette
    メアリーは私にアメリカの人形にんぎょうをくれた。↗
    Mary gave me an American doll.
  2. nounpuppet (person under the control of another); straw man; yes-man
Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymドールNeutralLoanword for a Western-style doll, as in 「ドールハウス」. 「人形」 is the broader word, covering puppets as well.
  • Synonymお人形さんCasualColloquial and affectionate for a doll; also used figuratively of a person who looks adorably cute. 「人形」 is the general term.
  • Antonym生身なまみNeutralThe opposite of 「人形」: a living body of flesh and blood, as in 「生身の人間」.

「人形」 is the default for dolls and puppets alike. Use 「ドール」 for Western-style dolls, 「お人形さん」 when speaking affectionately, and 「生身」 for a living person of flesh and blood.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. (にんぎょう、古こ・祭礼さいれい:ひとがた)人間にんげん、あるいは動物どうぶつなどの形かたちに似にせて作つくられたもの。玩具がんぐとしての人形にんぎょうのほかにも祭礼さいれい用ようなどにも使つかわれる。
  2. (にんぎょう)(比喩ひゆ)あやつられている人ひと。ただそこにいるだけの人ひと。おかざり。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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