Learning new languages opens up a world of opportunities and experiences, and when it comes to Japanese, knowing the right terms for toys and games can help you connect over shared interests, whether you’re a young learner or simply young at heart. Let’s dive into some common Japanese terms for toys and games and how you can use them in conversation.

おもちゃ (Omocha)
This is the general term for “toys” in Japanese. It encompasses everything from plushies to action figures.

クリスマスには子供たちにたくさんのおもちゃを贈ります。
(We give lots of toys to the children on Christmas.)

ぬいぐるみ (Nuigurumi)
This word refers to “stuffed animals” or “plush toys”. It’s a favorite among little ones and can be found in many shapes and sizes.

彼女はベッドの上にたくさんのぬいぐるみを置いています。
(She has a lot of stuffed animals on her bed.)

人形 (Ningyou)
“Ningyou” means “dolls”, and it can refer to traditional dolls like those displayed during Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Day) or modern fashion dolls.

彼女は日本の伝統的な人形を集めている。
(She collects traditional Japanese dolls.)

ボードゲーム (Boodo geemu)
This term is used for “board games”. It’s a straightforward translation and is used for all types of board games, from classic to contemporary.

雨の日は家でボードゲームをするのが楽しいです。
(Playing board games is fun at home on rainy days.)

カードゲーム (Kaado geemu)
This translates to “card games” in English, referring to games played with a deck of cards, like Hanafuda or the popular trading card games such as Pokémon.

私の兄はカードゲームを集めるのが好きです。
(My brother likes collecting card games.)

パズル (Pazuru)
Used for “puzzles”, this term covers everything from jigsaw puzzles to brain teasers that challenge the mind.

寒い日は暖かい部屋でパズルをするのが一番です。
(On cold days, doing puzzles in a warm room is the best.)

ビデオゲーム (Bideo geemu)
This is the term for “video games”. Japan is home to some of the world’s most famous video game companies, and the term is widely recognized.

昨夜は遅くまでビデオゲームをしてしまった。
(I ended up playing video games until late last night.)

RCカー (RC ka)
Short for “Radio-Controlled Car”, these toys are enjoyed by hobby enthusiasts of all ages.

彼は公園で新しいRCカーを試しています。
(He is trying out his new remote-controlled car at the park.)

積み木 (Tsumiki)
This word stands for “building blocks” or “construction toys”. It often refers to wooden blocks that children use to build various structures.

子供は色とりどりの積み木で遊んでいます。
(The child is playing with colorful building blocks.)

手品 (Tejina)
This translates to “magic tricks”. It encompasses the whole range of activities related to magic, from card tricks to more elaborate illusions.

彼はパーティーで楽しい手品を見せてくれました。
(He showed us some fun magic tricks at the party.)

Knowing these terms can enhance your ability to speak about common forms of entertainment in Japanese, allowing you to share in the fun and perhaps even learn a new game or two from a different culture. 遊びましょう！(Let’s play!)