ぬいぐるみ

ぬいぐるみ
noun
stuffed animal; plush toy
clothingleisure
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.

TYPES (sense 1):

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.

USAGE (sense 2, mascot costume):
Used at theme parks, events, and promotional campaigns. ぬいぐるみを着(き)る means to wear the costume, though 着(き)ぐるみ is the more common word for such a costume. The person inside is sometimes called 中(なか)の人(ひと) (the person inside).

Related Words

Related: おもちゃ (toy)
Compare: 剥製(はくせい) (taxidermy)
core
Added 2026.1.16 14:20 · Revised 2026.10.11 3:33
05000/05289_nuigurumi