Toy in different languages

Toy in Different Languages

Discover 'Toy' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Toys have been an integral part of human culture and development for centuries. From handmade dolls to high-tech gadgets, toys have reflected societal values, technological advancements, and childhood imagination. Understanding the translation of 'toy' in different languages not only broadens our vocabulary but also offers a glimpse into the unique perspectives and traditions of various cultures.

For instance, the French call a toy 'jouet,' which originates from the Old French 'joiet,' meaning 'small joy.' In Germany, a toy is referred to as 'Spielzeug,' which translates to 'play thing.' Meanwhile, in Japan, 'omocha' represents a toy, reflecting the country's rich history of play and innovation.

Exploring the word 'toy' in various languages is a captivating journey that unveils the diversity and similarities of global cultures. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of toy translations, providing you with a valuable resource for cross-cultural communication and understanding.

Toy


Toy in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansspeelding
Speelding may be a cognate of the English word "sports".
Amharicመጫወቻ
The word 'መጫወቻ' is also used in Amharic to refer to a game or pastime.
Hausaabin wasa
The word "abin wasa" can also refer to a joke or a pastime in Hausa.
Igboegwuregwu ụmụaka
The word derives from "egwu" meaning "dance" or "play" and "regwu" meaning "playful" or "amusing".
Malagasykilalao
"Kilalao" also refers to a traditional game of throwing a stick up in the air and clapping your hands before it falls on the ground.
Nyanja (Chichewa)choseweretsa
The Nyanja word choseweretsa derives from a verb meaning "to play or amuse oneself"
Shonachitoyi
The word "chitoyi" is derived from the verb "kutoya", which means "to play".
Somalitooy
The word "tooy" which is the Somali equivalent of "toy" can also mean "child's play".
Sesothosebapali
The word 'sebapali' can also refer to a doll, puppet or miniature model in Sesotho.
Swahilitoy
In Swahili, "toy" (toy) can also refer to traditional musical instruments.
Xhosainto yokudlala
The word 'into yokudlala' in Xhosa has an alternate meaning as 'a thing of little value' or 'a trifle'
Yorubaisere
Işeré also referes to play and playmates in Yoruba.
Zuluithoyizi
The Zulu word "ithoyizi" can also refer to a "plaything" or a "bauble."
Bambaratulonkɛfɛn
Ewefefenu
Kinyarwandaigikinisho
Lingalaeloko ya kosakana na yango
Lugandaeky’okuzannyisa
Sepedisebapadišwa
Twi (Akan)agode a wɔde di agoru

Toy in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicعروسه لعبه
The word "عروسه لعبه" (toy) comes from the Arabic word "عروس" (bride), suggesting the idea of a doll or figure meant for play.
Hebrewצַעֲצוּעַ
The word "צַעֲצוּעַ" can also refer to a trinket, bauble, or any small object of little value.
Pashtoلوبی
The word "لوبی" can also mean "doll" or "puppet" in Pashto.
Arabicعروسه لعبه
The word "عروسه لعبه" (toy) comes from the Arabic word "عروس" (bride), suggesting the idea of a doll or figure meant for play.

Toy in Western European Languages

Albanianlodër
The Albanian word "lodër" also refers to a specific type of play involving throwing and catching objects, similar to catch or toss in other languages.
Basquejostailu
"Jostailu": a derivative of "josta" meaning "plaything" but can also mean "trick," "joke" or "fun".
Catalanjoguina
"Joguina" is thought to derive from Arabic word جُقْنَة (juqnah), meaning "little box" or "trinket box".
Croatianigračka
The word 'igračka' comes from the Croatian word 'igrati', meaning 'to play'.
Danishlegetøj
The word "legetøj" derives from the Old Norse words "leikr" (play) and "tœg" (implement), suggesting its use as a plaything or tool.
Dutchspeelgoed-
The word 'speelgoed' is derived from the Old Dutch 'speelgoed', which meant 'plaything', and is related to the English word 'spiel'.
Englishtoy
"Toy" derives from "Toye," the Middle English term for "a trifle; a plaything." Earlier in Old English, the word meant "a tool, implement" or "an act, deed."
Frenchjouet
The word "jouet" can also mean "joke" or "plaything" in French.
Frisianboartersguod
The Frisian word "boartersguod" originally referred to a game or activity rather than a physical object.
Galicianxoguete
The term "xoguete" in Galician is ultimately derived from the Latin word "ioculus", meaning "little eye", and is related to the Spanish word "juguete" and the Portuguese word "joguete".
Germanspielzeug
The word “Spielzeug” likely comes from the Old High German word “spilon,” meaning “to play.”
Icelandicleikfang
The word 'leikfang' is also used to describe a child's plaything or a device used for amusement.
Irishbréagán
The word
Italiangiocattolo
The Italian word "giocattolo" can also refer to a "plaything" or a "diversion"
Luxembourgishspill
In Luxembourgish, "spill" can also refer to a type of traditional wooden rattle or a playful person.
Malteseġugarell
The word "ġugarell" also refers to the sound of something small and round falling onto a surface.
Norwegianleketøy
"Leketøy" can also mean "children's clothing" or "baby clothes" in Norwegian.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)brinquedo
The word "brinquedo" originally meant "diversion" or "amusement", and it is still used in this sense in some contexts.
Scots Gaelicdèideag
The word 'dèideag' in Scots Gaelic is thought to derive from the Old Irish word 'déidech', meaning 'small or insignificant' and can also be used to refer to a 'child' or 'darling'.
Spanishjuguete
The word "juguete" originated from the Nahuatl word "xocotl," meaning "fruit," due to early toys being made from fruit pits.
Swedishleksak
The term "leksak" originally referred to a "toy" that had been made using a blade or knife, as "lek" meant "to play" and "sak" meant "a thing" or "a blade".
Welshtegan
The Welsh word "tegan" is a diminutive of the word "tag" which means "to pull" or "to draw".

Toy in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianцацка
The word "цацка" can also refer to a trinket, a bauble, or a trifle
Bosnianigračka
The word 'igračka' can also refer to a 'trick' or a 'plot'.
Bulgarianиграчка
The word "играчка" can also refer to a tool or device used to do something.
Czechhračka
The word 'hračka' also means 'playful' or 'naughty' in Czech slang.
Estonianmänguasja
"Mänguasja" ultimately derives from a word that meant "to play" and is related to the word "mäng" (game).
Finnishlelu
"Lelu" is derived from the Proto-Finnic word "*lelo" meaning "a plaything, pastime, entertainment" and is cognate with the Estonian word "lõbu" meaning "pleasure, joy, fun".
Hungarianjáték
In Hungarian, "játék" also has the connotation of "play" or "game", emphasizing the active and engaging nature of toys.
Latvianrotaļlieta
In Latvian, "rotaļlieta" literally translates to "something used to make a game".
Lithuanianžaislas
The word "žaislas" is derived from the verb "žaisti" (to play), and also means "plaything" or "game".
Macedonianиграчка
The Macedonian word "играчка" (toy) shares the same root as the verb "игра" (to play), indicating a close association between play and toys in the Macedonian language.
Polishzabawka
The word 'zabawka' in Polish means 'toy', but it can also refer to a 'plaything' or a 'amusement'.
Romanianjucărie
"Jucărie" may come from the verb "a se juca," meaning "to play," or from the Turkish word "oyuncak," also meaning "toy."
Russianигрушка
The word "игрушка" originally meant "plaything" or "diversion" in Old Russian, and is related to the word "играть" (play).
Serbianиграчка
The word "играчка" can also refer to gambling, a prank, a trick, a gadget, a tool, a play, a joke, or a game.
Slovakhračka
The word "hračka" can also refer to a "plaything" or a "joke".
Slovenianigrača
The Slavic word 'igrača' originally referred to a doll, and later acquired the broader meaning of 'toy'.
Ukrainianіграшка
"Іграшка" means "toy," but it is also a form of Ukrainian folk art.

Toy in South Asian Languages

Bengaliখেলনা
The word "খেলনা" can also mean "amusement" or "fun".
Gujaratiરમકડું
The Gujarati word "રમકડું" is derived from the Sanskrit word "रमक", meaning "to delight" or "to please".
Hindiखिलौना
'खिलौना' is the name of a type of Indian flatbread that is cooked on a griddle.
Kannadaಆಟಿಕೆ
The word "ಆಟಿಕೆ" (toy) in Kannada is derived from the verb "ಆಡು" (to play), suggesting its primary purpose as an object for amusement and play.
Malayalamകളിപ്പാട്ടം
Marathiखेळण्यांचे
In Marathi, the word 'खेळण्यांचे' not only means 'toy' but also refers to the 'playful' or 'amusing' aspect of something.
Nepaliखेलौना
The term 'खेलौना' can also refer to a small animal used for entertainment or companionship.
Punjabiਖਿਡੌਣਾ
The word "ఖిడ్డ" (kidd) means "child or young one", suggesting that toys are primarily associated with children
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සෙල්ලම් බඩු
Tamilபொம்மை
"பொம்மை" in Tamil is also used figuratively to mean "a beautiful woman."
Teluguబొమ్మ
Urduکھلونا
The word "کھلونا" can also refer to a "doll" or "puppet" in Urdu.

Toy in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)玩具
玩具 (wánjù) refers not only to children's playthings, but also to gadgets and devices
Chinese (Traditional)玩具
玩具 originates from the phrase “戲具” (literally “playthings”) and also means “play” or “diversion”.
Japaneseおもちゃ
"おもちゃ" (toy) derives from "御細工物" (imperial crafts objects) and originally referred to precious treasures.
Korean장난감
The word "장난감" can also mean "plaything" or "gadget", and is derived from the Chinese word "장난" (play) and the Korean suffix "감" (noun).
Mongolianтоглоом
The Mongolian word "тоглоом" can also refer to "play" or "game" in English.
Myanmar (Burmese)ကစားစရာ

Toy in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmainan
The word "mainan" can also refer to a performance or a game.
Javanesedolanan
In Javanese, the word "dolanan" also refers to a hobby or a pastime activity, highlighting the multifaceted nature of toys beyond mere objects of play.
Khmerប្រដាប់ក្មេងលេង
Laoຂອງຫຼິ້ນ
Malaymainan
The word 'mainan' in Malay not only refers to toys but also to games and pastimes, indicating its broader cultural significance.
Thaiของเล่น
The word "ของเล่น" (pronounced "kʰɔːŋlɛːn") can also be used to refer to a "gadget" or a "device."
Vietnameseđồ chơi
The word "đồ chơi" also means "plaything" or "amusement" in Vietnamese.
Filipino (Tagalog)laruan

Toy in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanioyuncaq
The word "oyuncaq" is also used to refer to "children's toys", "playthings" and "amusements".
Kazakhойыншық
The word "ойыншық" in Kazakh also means "playful" or "naughty" when used as an adjective.
Kyrgyzоюнчук
The word "оюнчук" in Kyrgyz can also mean "plaything" or "entertainment".
Tajikбозича
The word "бозича" comes from the Persian word "بازیچه" (bāzīche), meaning "plaything" or "toy". It can also refer to a "child's toy" or a "toy train".
Turkmenoýunjak
Uzbeko'yinchoq
The Uzbek word "o'yinchoq" comes from the Persian word "bazichah", which also means "plaything".
Uyghurئويۇنچۇق

Toy in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianmea pāʻani
The Hawaiian word 'mea pāʻani' translates to 'thing to play with' and can refer to recreational activities, games, toys, or even pets.
Maoritaakaro
The word "taakaro" in Māori also refers to games and recreation, highlighting the inseparable bond between play and childhood.
Samoanmeataʻalo
"Meata'alo" can also refer to the toys of a whale or porpoise, specifically a whale's calf.
Tagalog (Filipino)laruan
"Laruan" is the Tagalog word for "toy", which is derived from the Spanish word "jugar", meaning "to play"

Toy in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraanatt’añ yänaka
Guaranijuguete

Toy in International Languages

Esperantoludilo
The word "ludilo" is derived from the Latin word "ludus," meaning "play" or "game."}
Latintoy
In Latin, "toy" originally meant "plaything" or "amusement," derived from the root "ludere" meaning "to play."

Toy in Others Languages

Greekπαιχνίδι
The word παιχνίδι (toy) in Greek comes from the verb παίζω (to play) and the suffix -ίδι, commonly used in Greek to create nouns denoting tools or devices.
Hmongqho khoom ua si
The Hmong word "qho khoom ua si" can also refer to a child's playmate.}
Kurdishlîstok
In Sorani, "lîstok" also refers to the plastic ring used in a pull-tab can.
Turkishoyuncak
In Turkish, "oyuncak" can also refer to a small mechanical device used to initiate or control the operation of something else.
Xhosainto yokudlala
The word 'into yokudlala' in Xhosa has an alternate meaning as 'a thing of little value' or 'a trifle'
Yiddishצאַצקע
The Yiddish word "צאַצקע" also means "trinket" or "bauble".
Zuluithoyizi
The Zulu word "ithoyizi" can also refer to a "plaything" or a "bauble."
Assameseখেলনা
Aymaraanatt’añ yänaka
Bhojpuriखिलौना बा
Dhivehiކުޅޭ އެއްޗެކެވެ
Dogriखिलौना
Filipino (Tagalog)laruan
Guaranijuguete
Ilocanoay-ayam
Kriotɔys we dɛn kin ple
Kurdish (Sorani)یاری
Maithiliखिलौना
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯁꯥꯟꯅꯄꯣꯠ ꯑꯃꯥ꯫
Mizotoy a ni
Oromomeeshaa taphaa
Odia (Oriya)ଖେଳନା
Quechuapukllana
Sanskritक्रीडनकं
Tatarуенчык
Tigrinyaመጻወቲ
Tsongathoyi

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