Spielzeugauto
The German phrase for "toy car" is Spielzeugauto.
Spielzeugauto refers to a small model of a car designed for children to play with.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound noun consisting of Spielzeug (toy) and Auto (car).
Which one should you use?
While Spielzeugauto is the standard term, you may encounter Spielzeugflitzer, which is a playful term or Flitzeauto, a colloquial term that emphasizes speed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a neuter noun, so you use the indefinite article ein for "a toy car" and the definite article das for "the toy car". The plural form is Spielzeugautos.
Did you know?
- German allows for endless compounding, so a 'toy car racing track' becomes one single word: Spielzeugautorennbahn.
- The term Flitzer used in Spielzeugflitzer is also used by German adults to describe small, sporty cars that zip through city traffic.
- If you are talking about a professional-grade scale model for collectors, calling it a Spielzeugauto might actually sound insulting to a hobbyist. They would expect to be called a Modellauto collector.
Examples in context
- Ein Freund von mir ist letztens auf einem Spielzeugauto ausgerutscht, das sein Sohn auf der Treppe hatte liegen lassen, und hat sich dabei den großen Zeh gebrochen.A friend of mine recently slipped on a toy car that his son had left lying on the stairs, and has broken his big toe.This sentence shows how someone might slip on a Spielzeugauto left on the stairs.Tatoeba #623757 by BraveSentry, translation #1490739 by niceguydave
- Dieses Spielzeugauto läuft mit Batterien.This toy car runs on batteries.This sentence describes how a Spielzeugauto is powered by batteries.Tatoeba #656122 by stummelino, translation #61297 by CK
- Ich habe ein Spielzeugauto.I have a toy car.
- Kannst du mir dein Spielzeugauto leihen?Can you lend me your toy car?
- Wo hast du das Spielzeugauto gekauft?Where did you buy the toy car?
- Das rote Spielzeugauto gehört meinem kleinen Bruder.The red toy car belongs to my little brother.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are cleaning up a playroom.
- FelixWo ist das kleine Spielzeugauto?Where is the little toy car?
- JuliaEs liegt unter dem Tisch, Felix.It is lying under the table, Felix.
- FelixDanke, Julia. Ich räume es jetzt weg.Thanks, Julia. I will put it away now.
- JuliaGut gemacht!Well done!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
