人形

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 人形 (にんぎょう) is a noun for a decorative or toy figure made in the likeness of a person or animal.
• Basic usage: 人形に名前を付ける makes the shelf figures recipients of names, while 木彫りの人形が目を引く makes a carved wooden figure the subject attracting attention outside a shop.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Recipient and material modifier
  • 人形に marks what receives a name, while 木彫りの人形 restricts the figure by its carved material and method. The second does not denote a real person.