toy
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toy
An object made especially for children to play with; a toy. The term is often used in the plural.
Nach dem Spielen müssen alle Spielsachen wieder in die Kiste geräumt werden.
After playing, all the toys have to be put back in the box.
The word is made up of 'Spiel' (game/play, from spielen) and 'Sache' (thing), connected by an 's'. So it literally means a 'thing for playing'.
Dieses alte Holzauto ist eine ganz besondere Spielsache für mich.
This old wooden car is a very special toy to me.
Very often, the word is used in the plural, 'Spielsachen' (toys), as a collective term for all of a child's toys. You hear it especially often in connection with tidying up.
Bitte räum deine Spielsachen auf, bevor du ins Bett gehst.
Please tidy up your toys before you go to bed.
The term 'Spielsache' (toy) is often used by adults (parents, educators) when speaking with children. Because of this, it can sound somewhat more educational or formal.
Wir teilen die Spielsachen gerecht unter allen Kindern auf.
We divide the toys fairly among all the children.
toy
Both words refer to objects that children play with. Spielzeug is the usual neutral term and is particularly suitable for a single object, whereas Spielsache sounds more colloquial and is often used in the plural. In neutral standard sentences, Spielzeug is usually the safer choice.
Nach dem Spielen räumten die Kinder ihre Spielsachen in die Kiste.
After playing, the children put their toys in the box.
Im Laden suchte ich ein passendes Spielzeug für das Geburtstagskind.
At the store, I looked for a suitable toy for the birthday child.
