laruan
/laɾuˈʔan/
The English word "toy" is laruan in Tagalog.
laruan refers to something used for play. This applies to physical playthings as well as metaphorical uses, such as describing a person who is being manipulated by another.
Meaning: something to play with (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word laruan is derived from the root word laro, which means "play".
How does it change in a sentence?
When laruan is used to modify a noun, it changes to laruang through the use of the linker -ng. For example, to say "toy sword," you would use laruang espada. To express the plural "toys," use mga laruan.
How do you pronounce it?
/laɾuˈʔan/
Did you know?
- While laruan means 'toy', the same word can also refer to a 'playground' or a place where people play.
- When describing a toy as 'broken', Filipinos often use the word sira, which is also used for malfunctioning electronics and broken laws.
- Traditional Filipino toys, like the trumpo (top), are often handmade from natural materials, reflecting a history of resourcefulness.
Examples in context
- Hindi mo ako laruan.I'm not your toy.This sentence shows how to use laruan to describe a person being manipulated.Tatoeba #9780310 by ye3t, translation #2635870 by meerkat
- Ilang mga bata ang naglalaro ng mga laruang espada.Several boys were playing with toy swords.This sentence shows the use of laruang as a modifier for the noun espada.Tatoeba #11588766 by qwertzu, translation #9651478 by CK
- May isang batang may laruang espada ang naglalaro nang sarili niya.A boy with a toy sword was playing by himself.This sentence also demonstrates the modified form laruang used to describe the sword.Tatoeba #11588752 by qwertzu, translation #11211791 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Angela and Jose are cleaning up a playroom.
- AngelaMay nakalimutan kang laruan sa sahig.You left a toy on the floor.
- JoseAling laruan ang tinutukoy mo?Which toy are you referring to?
- AngelaIyong laruang kotse.That toy car.
- JoseSige, ililigpit ko na ito.Okay, I will clean this up now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toy” translations and entries laruan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
