المعنى
To be exceptionally skilled at repairing or creating things.
خلفية ثقافية
In Spain, the 'manitas' is often the hero of the 'comunidad de vecinos' (apartment block). People often trade favors with the local manitas instead of paying for professional services. In Mexico, you might also hear 'milusos' (thousand uses) to describe someone who can do everything, though 'manitas' is widely understood and used for quality work. In Argentina, 'ser un dandi' or 'ser un capo' might be used generally, but 'manitas' remains the specific term for manual dexterity. The term 'mañoso' can sometimes be used positively to mean 'skillful' (having 'maña'), but be careful as in some regions it can mean 'picky' or 'cranky'. 'Manitas' is safer.
Gender Neutrality
Remember that 'manitas' is always plural in form but singular in meaning. Don't say 'un manita'.
Sarcasm Alert
If you say this after someone breaks something, it's very sarcastic. '¡Bravo, eres un manitas de oro!' means 'Nice job, you klutz!'
المعنى
To be exceptionally skilled at repairing or creating things.
Gender Neutrality
Remember that 'manitas' is always plural in form but singular in meaning. Don't say 'un manita'.
Sarcasm Alert
If you say this after someone breaks something, it's very sarcastic. '¡Bravo, eres un manitas de oro!' means 'Nice job, you klutz!'
The 'De Oro' boost
You can just say 'es un manitas', but adding 'de oro' makes it a 5-star review instead of a 3-star one.
Use with 'Ser'
Always use the verb 'ser' because being a manitas is considered a personality trait or a stable characteristic.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct article for a woman who is good at repairs.
Marta es ___ manitas de oro.
Since Marta is female, we use the feminine indefinite article 'una'.
Complete the idiom with the correct material.
Mi abuelo arregla todo; es un manitas de ____.
The standard idiom is 'manitas de oro'.
In which situation would you call someone a 'manitas de oro'?
Select the appropriate scenario:
The phrase is specifically for manual repairs and DIY skills.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
—¿Quién ha montado este armario? —Lo hizo mi tío, es ____.
'Un manitas de oro' is the correct masculine singular form for 'tío'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Manitas vs. Manazas
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينMarta es ___ manitas de oro.
Since Marta is female, we use the feminine indefinite article 'una'.
Mi abuelo arregla todo; es un manitas de ____.
The standard idiom is 'manitas de oro'.
Select the appropriate scenario:
The phrase is specifically for manual repairs and DIY skills.
—¿Quién ha montado este armario? —Lo hizo mi tío, es ____.
'Un manitas de oro' is the correct masculine singular form for 'tío'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, just change the article: 'Ella es una manitas de oro'. The word 'manitas' does not change.
No, it is a very positive compliment, unless used sarcastically.
'Manitas' means handy. 'Manitas de oro' means exceptionally handy/talented.
In some Latin American countries, 'manitos' is more common than 'manitas', but 'manitas' is the standard for this specific idiom.
Yes, it can be used for any manual or technical repair, including tech hardware.
The opposite is 'ser un manazas'.
It's better to use 'Habilidades técnicas' or 'Destreza manual' on a CV. Keep 'manitas' for the interview or casual talk.
Mostly, but it can also apply to creating things from scratch (like carpentry or crafts).
Diminutives in Spanish often imply precision and affection, which are key to being a good handyman.
Usually no. For cooking, we say 'tener buena mano para la cocina'.
عبارات ذات صلة
Ser un manazas
contrastTo be clumsy with one's hands.
Tener mucha maña
similarTo be very resourceful/skillful.
Ser un hacha
similarTo be an expert/ace at something.
Apañárselas
builds onTo manage or get by.
Bricolaje
specialized formDIY / Home improvement.
