ぬいぐるみ

noun

stuffed animal; plush toy

1. stuffed animal; plush toy

A soft toy made of fabric and stuffed with filling, often in the shape of an animal or character.

ぬいぐるみが好(す)きだ。

I like stuffed animals.

子(こ)どもにぬいぐるみを買(か)ってあげた。

I bought a stuffed animal for the child.

ベッドにぬいぐるみが並(なら)んでいる。

Stuffed animals are lined up on the bed.

クマのぬいぐるみを抱(だ)いて寝(ね)る。

I sleep holding a teddy bear.

ゲームセンターでぬいぐるみを取(と)ろうとしたけど、取(と)れなかった。

I tried to win a stuffed animal at the arcade, but I couldn't get one.

2. mascot costume

A large costume worn by a person, resembling a character or mascot.

ぬいぐるみを着(き)る。

To wear a mascot costume.

ぬいぐるみを着(き)たスタッフが子(こ)どもたちを迎(むか)えた。

Staff in mascot costumes greeted the children.

ぬいぐるみの中(なか)は暑(あつ)くて大変(たいへん)だ。

It's hot inside the mascot costume, so it's tough.

遊園地(ゆうえんち)では大(おお)きなぬいぐるみが歩(ある)いている。

At amusement parks, large mascot characters walk around.

あのぬいぐるみの中(なか)に人(ひと)が入(はい)っているとは思(おも)えないくらい上手(じょうず)に動(うご)く。

That mascot moves so well you wouldn't think there's a person inside.

ぬいぐるみ has two meanings: a soft stuffed toy (sense 1) and a full-body mascot costume (sense 2).

ETYMOLOGY:
From 縫(ぬ)う (to sew) + くるむ (to wrap). Literally, something wrapped by sewing.

COMMON TYPES (sense 1):

クマのぬいぐるみ: teddy bear
キャラクターのぬいぐるみ: character plush toy

CULTURAL NOTE:
Stuffed toys are popular among all ages in Japan, not just children. UFOキャッチャー (crane games) at arcades are a popular way to win them.

MASCOT COSTUME (sense 2):
Used at theme parks, events, and promotional campaigns. ぬいぐるみを着(き)る means to wear the costume. The person inside is sometimes called 中(なか)の人(ひと) (the person inside).

core

Added 2026.1.16 14:20 · Revised 2026.6.5 23:18

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