おもちゃ

おもちゃ
noun
toy; plaything
leisure
See also: 玩具(がんぐ) (toy (formal/written))
1. toy; plaything
An object for children to play with.
おもちゃで遊(あそ)ぶ。
To play with toys.
子供(こども)におもちゃを買(か)ってあげた。
I bought a toy for the child.
おもちゃを片付(かたづ)けないとご飯(はん)を食(た)べられないよ。
If you don't put away your toys, you can't eat dinner.
子供(こども)はすぐに新(あたら)しいおもちゃに飽(あ)きて、また別(べつ)のものをほしがる。
Children quickly get bored of new toys and want something else again.
子供(こども)が小(ちい)さい頃(ころ)に遊(あそ)んでいたおもちゃを捨(す)てられなくて、今(いま)でも大切(たいせつ)に取(と)っておいてある。
I can't bring myself to throw away the toys my child played with when they were small, so I still keep them carefully.

おもちゃ is typically written in hiragana. The kanji form 玩具(がんぐ) exists but sounds formal and is mainly used in written contexts.

Etymology

From お持(も)ち遊(あそ)び (something held for play), shortened over time.

Common expressions

Usage

Can refer to something treated carelessly or not taken seriously: 人(ひと)をおもちゃにする (to toy with someone).

Related words

Related Words

Related: 人形(にんぎょう) (doll)
Related: ぬいぐるみ (stuffed animal)
Related: ゲーム ((video) game)
Compare: 遊具(ゆうぐ) (playground equipment)
core
Added 2026.1.8 12:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
01000/01334_omocha