Translation guide
A flat piece of material used to cover a floor, provide cushioning, wipe feet, or serve as a base for activities. Japanese has different words depending on the material, purpose, and context.
マット
What is the most common word for 'mat'?
General loanword used for many types of mats, but specific contexts often have their own words.
A mat used as a traditional Japanese floor covering or a general rug/carpet.
Traditional Japanese straw mat used as flooring. Refers specifically to tatami mats.
和室には畳が敷いてあります。
The Japanese-style room has tatami mats.
A rug or small carpet, often used for decorative purposes or to cover a specific area.
リビングに新しいラグを敷いた。
I put a new rug in the living room.
Carpet, often wall-to-wall. Can also refer to a large rug.
ホテルの廊下には厚いカーペットが敷いてある。
The hotel hallway has thick carpet.
A padded mat used for exercise, yoga, or gymnastics.
General term for an exercise mat, yoga mat, or gym mat. Often used in compounds.
ヨガマットを買いました。
I bought a yoga mat.
体育館にマットを敷いて運動した。
We laid out mats in the gym and exercised.
Specifically an exercise mat.
エクササイズマットの上でストレッチをする。
I stretch on an exercise mat.
A mat placed at an entrance for wiping shoes.
Standard term for a doormat at the entrance of a house.
玄関マットで靴の汚れを落としてください。
Please wipe your shoes on the doormat.
Also means doormat, slightly more general.
新しいドアマットを買った。
I bought a new doormat.
A small mat placed under a plate or bowl on a dining table.
Common term for a placemat, often made of fabric or plastic.
テーブルにランチョンマットを敷いた。
I put placemats on the table.
Less common, but understood.
プレースマットを洗濯した。
I washed the placemats.
A thin mat used for sleeping, such as a camping pad or a futon mattress.
The bottom mattress of a Japanese futon set, placed directly on the floor or tatami.
敷き布団を敷いて寝る。
I lay out the futon mattress and sleep.
A sleeping pad used with a sleeping bag, often for camping.
キャンプ用の寝袋マットを買った。
I bought a sleeping pad for camping.
A mattress, usually for a bed. Can be used for thin futon mattresses as well.
A mat placed outside a bathtub or shower to absorb water.
Standard term for a bath mat.
バスマットが濡れている。
The bath mat is wet.
A small protective or functional mat for specific items.
Used in compounds for various specialized mats, e.g., マウスパッド (mouse pad), コースター (coaster).
マウスパッドを敷いて使う。
I use a mouse pad.
コースターを敷いてください。
Please use a coaster.
While マット is a common loanword, it is not used for traditional tatami mats (畳) or futon mattresses (敷き布団). Using マット for these would sound unnatural.
Japanese often forms specific terms by combining a purpose word with マット, e.g., ヨガマット (yoga mat), 玄関マット (doormat). This is the most natural way to refer to many types of mats.
ヨガマットが必要です。
I need a mat for yoga.
A thin mattress makes my back hurt.