Fantoche vs. marionete vs. marioneta
While "fantoche", "marionete", and "marioneta" all translate to "puppet" in English, the distinction lies in the physical mechanism used to manipulate the doll and the regional dialect of Portuguese. Generally, "fantoche" refers to a hand puppet, while the other two refer to string puppets, with a spelling difference between Brazil and Portugal.
Fantoche
B1Refers specifically to a hand puppet or glove puppet. The manipulator inserts their hand inside the fabric body to control the head and arms (like a sock puppet or The Muppets). Figuratively, fantoche is the most common term used to describe a weak person or leader controlled by others.
O professor usou um fantoche para contar a história aos alunos.
(The teacher used a puppet to tell the story to the students.)
Ele não manda em nada, é apenas um fantoche do diretor.
(He doesn't rule anything, he is just a puppet of the director.)
Minha filha aprendeu a fazer um fantoche com uma meia velha.
(My daughter learned to make a puppet out of an old sock.)
Marionete
B1This is the standard spelling in Brazilian Portuguese for a string puppet. These act from above, moved by strings or wires attached to a control bar (cross). It implies a higher complexity of movement than a fantoche.
As cordas da marionete se embolaram durante o espetáculo.
(The strings of the puppet got tangled during the show.)
O artesão esculpiu uma linda marionete em madeira.
(The artisan carved a beautiful puppet in wood.)
Sinto-me como uma marionete neste emprego corporativo.
(I feel like a puppet in this corporate job.)
Marioneta
B1This is the standard spelling in European Portuguese (used in Portugal) for a string puppet. It has the exact same mechanical definition as the Brazilian marionete.
Visitamos o Museu da Marioneta durante a nossa viagem a Lisboa.
(We visited the Puppet Museum during our trip to Lisbon.)
É difícil manipular esta marioneta sem prática.
(It is difficult to manipulate this puppet without practice.)
A antiga marioneta dançava ao som da música clássica.
(The antique puppet danced to the sound of classical music.)
Summary
Use fantoche when referring to a puppet worn on the hand like a glove or metaphorically for a stooge. Use marionete (in Brazil) or marioneta (in Portugal) when referring to a puppet suspended and controlled by strings.