Around here, we call plushies… Plushers! Obviously. But there are still many ways to spell plushies or terms to call them. Honestly, all are
valid! Call them how you want to!
Common terms and spellings:
- Plushies
- Plushie
- Plushy
- Stuffie
- Beanie popularized by the Ty Inc. brand)
- Stuffed animal
- Stuffed toy
- Soft toy
- Teddy bear (specifically for bear plush toys)
- Teddie
- Cuddle buddy
- Snuggle buddy
- Lovey (often used for a child’s comfort object, baby security blanket with stuffed animal head)
- Loveys
- Stuffy
- Plush
- Fuzzy friend
- Stuffed friend
- Cuddle toy
- Plush doll
- Stuffed plush
- Friends
Regional translations:
Japan
- ぬいぐるみ (nuigurumi): This is the most general and widely used term for plush toys or stuffed animals.
- ソフトトイ (sofuto toi): This is a loanword from English meaning “soft toy.”
- マスコット (masukotto): Often used for smaller plush toys, especially those representing characters or mascots.
- ぬい (nui): A shortened, colloquial version of ぬいぐるみ (nuigurumi).
- クマのぬいぐるみ (kuma no nuigurumi): Specifically refers to teddy bears.
- ぬいぐるみ人形 (nuigurumi ningyou): Literally means “stuffed doll.”
China
- 毛绒玩具 (máo róng wánjù): This is the most general term for plush toys or stuffed animals. It literally means “plush toy.”
- 玩偶 (wán’ǒu): This term can refer to dolls in general, including plush toys.
- 布娃娃 (bù wáwa): Literally means “cloth doll,” often used for softer plush toys.
- 泰迪熊 (tàidí xióng): Specifically refers to teddy bears.
- 公仔 (gōngzǎi): Often used for character-based plush toys or figurines, especially in Cantonese-speaking regions.
- 抱枕 (bàozhěn): While this primarily means “hugging pillow,” it’s sometimes used for larger, pillow-like plush toys.
- 毛公仔 (máo gōngzǎi): A combination of “plush” (毛) and “figurine” (公仔), often used in colloquial speech.
Mexico
- Peluche: This is the most general and widely used term for plush toys or stuffed animals in Mexico and many other Spanish-speaking countries.
- Muñeco de peluche: Literally means “plush doll” and is often used interchangeably with “peluche.”
- Animalito de peluche: Specifically refers to stuffed animals.
- Osito de peluche: Means “teddy bear” or literally “little plush bear.”
- Juguete suave: Translates to “soft toy,” though this term is less common than “peluche.”
- Monito: While this can refer to any small toy or figurine, it’s sometimes used for plush toys, especially smaller ones.
- Muñeco de felpa: Another way to say “plush doll,” with “felpa” being a type of soft fabric.
France
- Peluche: This is the most general and widely used term for plush toys or stuffed animals in France.
- Doudou: Often used for a child’s favorite comfort toy, which is frequently a small plush animal.
- Nounours: Specifically refers to teddy bears. It’s a combination of “nounou” (childish term for nurse) and “ours” (bear).
- Jouet en peluche: Literally means “plush toy.”
- Animal en peluche: Specifically refers to stuffed animals.
- Poupée de chiffon: While this literally means “rag doll,” it can sometimes be used for softer plush toys.
- Toutou: A colloquial term often used by children, similar to “doggy” in English, but can refer to any stuffed animal.
- Ourson en peluche: Specifically means “plush bear cub.”
The UK
- Soft toy: This is perhaps the most general and widely used term in British English for plush toys.
- Cuddly toy: Another very common term, emphasizing the huggable nature of these toys.
- Teddy bear: Specifically refers to plush bears, but is sometimes used more broadly for other plush animals.
- Stuffed animal: Commonly used, especially for animal-shaped plush toys.
- Plushie: A more informal term, becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger people.
- Furry friend: Sometimes used affectionately, especially when talking to children.
- Comfort toy: Often used for a child’s favorite plush toy that they use for comfort.
- Stuffed toy: Similar to “stuffed animal,” but can include non-animal plush toys as well.
- Teddies: While this technically refers to teddy bears, it’s sometimes used more broadly for various plush toys.
Sweden
- Mjukisdjur: This is the most general term for stuffed animals or plush toys. It literally translates to “soft animal.”
- Gosedjur: Another common term, which can be translated as “cuddle animal” or “cozy animal.”
- Kramdjur: Similar to gosedjur, this term means “hug animal.”
- Nalle: Specifically refers to teddy bears, but sometimes used more broadly for other plush toys.
- Mjukisleksak: A more general term meaning “soft toy.”
- Plyschdjur: Derived from the word “plush,” this term is also used for stuffed animals.
- Gosekudde: While this primarily means “cuddle pillow,” it can sometimes refer to larger, pillow-like plush toys.
- Snuttefilt: While not exactly a plush toy, this term refers to a comfort blanket or security blanket, often with a small plush animal attached.
Russia
- Мягкая игрушка (Myagkaya igrushka): This is the most general term for plush toys or stuffed animals. It literally means “soft toy.”
- Плюшевая игрушка (Plyushevaya igrushka): Another general term meaning “plush toy.”
- Плюшевый мишка (Plyushevyi mishka): Specifically refers to teddy bears. “Mishka” is a diminutive form of “медведь” (medved’), which means bear.
- Мягкий зверь (Myagkiy zver’): Translates to “soft animal.”
- Пушистик (Pushistik): A colloquial term that can be translated as “fluffy one,” often used affectionately for plush toys.
- Мягкая зверушка (Myagkaya zverushka): Another way to say “soft animal,” with a more endearing tone.
- Игрушечный зверь (Igrushechnyi zver’): Means “toy animal,” often used for stuffed animals.
That’s a few of the ways that plushies are spelled and some of the ways they are named around the world. There’s always more! In Germany you might say Kuscheltiere (cuddle animals) and in the Netherlands you might call them knuffels.
What do you call plushies where you are from? Are there any unique kinds of plushies where you live?