toy
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toys
An object made for children or also adults to play with. The word is used almost exclusively in the plural 'Spielwaren' to refer to toys in general.
Das Geschäft verkauft Spielwaren für jedes Alter.
The shop sells toys for every age.
The word is made up of 'Spiel' (game/play) and 'Ware' (goods/merchandise). 'Ware' is a word for products or goods that can be bought. So 'Spielwaren' are literally 'goods for playing'.
Die Spielwaren in diesem Laden sind sehr teuer.
The toys in this shop are very expensive.
This word is almost always used in the plural form 'Spielwaren' (toys). It functions as a collective term for all kinds of toys, similar to 'Lebensmittel' (groceries/food) for food.
Die Spielwaren-Abteilung befindet sich im zweiten Stock.
The toy department is on the second floor.
The word 'Spielwaren' (toys) is often part of compound nouns that refer to the sale of toys. Typical examples are 'Spielwarengeschäft' (toy shop) or 'Spielwarenabteilung' (toy department).
Früher gab es in jeder Stadt ein kleines Spielwarengeschäft.
There used to be a small toy shop in every town.
toy
'das Spielzeug' and 'die Spielware' mean very similar things: objects used for playing. 'Spielzeug' is the normal everyday word, especially when talking about children and individual items. 'Spielware' sounds more like a word from shops or advertising and is almost always used in the plural: 'Spielwaren'. Learners may confuse the words because they are close in meaning. In everyday life, people usually say 'Spielzeug'. In a shop, catalog, or sign, 'Spielwaren' sounds more natural.
Nach der Arbeit hat meine Mutter in der Abteilung für Spielwaren ein Geschenk gesucht.
After work, my mother looked for a gift in the toy department.
Am Wochenende kauft meine Mutter ein neues Spielzeug für meinen kleinen Bruder.
At the weekend, my mother buys a new toy for my little brother.