noun
toy, plaything
B1
Spielzeug (das) means 'toy' or 'plaything', referring to objects children play with. It is neuter (das Spielzeug), plural Spielzeuge. Note the genitive singular des Spielzeugs with -s. Regular declension otherwise; no special prepositions or verb forms. Commonly used for children's items and is countable.
Examples
Die Mutter kaufte neues Spielzeug, weil das alte kaputtging und die Kinder traurig wurden.
The mother bought new toys because the old one broke and the children became sad.
Altes Spielzeug liegt auf dem Dachboden.
Old playthings are in the attic.
Das Kinderzimmer ist voller Spielzeug.
The children's room is full of toys.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a box labeled 'Spielzeug' full of colorful toys.
Spielzeug sounds like 'spiel' (play) + 'toy' → play-toy.
Das Spielzeug — das (neuter): imagine a small 'DAS' tag on the toy box.
Notes
Spielzeug is neuter and often uncountable in general contexts, but has a plural (Spielzeuge) when referring to individual items. Can be used for both children's and adult novelty items.