Spanish word

ninot

Pronunciation

IPA/niˈnot/

Meaning

  • masculine nouneffigy

Example

En Valencia queman el ninot cada marzo.

In Valencia they burn the effigy every March.

Illustration for ninot (effigy)

More examples

En el museo se exponen ninots elegidos tras las Fallas.

The museum exhibits effigies selected after the Fallas.

Core concept

Satirical puppet burned in festival bonfires.

Common phrases

  • quemar el ninot

    set fire to the effigy

  • el ninot de la falla

    the falla's effigy

Similar words

figura: Shaped three-dimensional figure representing a person or thing, often decorative.
muñeco: Small toy-like figure intended for children to play with or for display.
escultura: Artistic three-dimensional work made by carving or modeling materials.
monumento: Permanent commemorative structure, often free-standing in a public place.

Definition in Spanish

Muñeco o figura festiva; en la Comunidad Valenciana designa las esculturas que se construyen para las Fallas y que suelen ser quemadas al concluir la fiesta.

Word origin

Borrowed from Valencian and Catalan ninot, originally meaning a little puppet and later applied to the elaborate figures made for the Fallas.

Usage tips

  • Ninots are frequently satirical caricatures of politicians and celebrities, so English 'doll' can understate their scale and intent.

Other meanings

  • satirical puppetnoun

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