Translation guide
A mattress is a large pad for sleeping on, usually placed on a bed frame or directly on the floor. In Japanese, the traditional futon is a thin mattress laid on tatami and stored away during the day, while Western-style thick mattresses are called マットレス. The choice depends on context.
A thick, often spring or foam mattress used on a bed frame, typical in Western bedrooms.
The standard loanword for a Western-style mattress. Used in hotels, homes with beds, and furniture stores.
新しいマットレスを買いました。
I bought a new mattress.
このマットレスは硬すぎます。
This mattress is too firm.
Explicitly 'bed mattress', used when distinguishing from other types like futons or sofa mattresses.
ベッドマットレスのサイズを測ってください。
Please measure the bed mattress size.
A thin, foldable mattress used directly on tatami flooring, part of a futon set that is stored in a closet during the day.
The bottom mattress part of a Japanese futon set. 'Shiki' means 'spread out'. Often used with a kakebuton (quilt).
敷き布団を畳に敷いて寝ます。
I lay out the futon mattress on the tatami and sleep.
敷き布団が薄くて腰が痛い。
The futon mattress is thin and my back hurts.
Often refers to the whole futon set (mattress + quilt), but can mean just the mattress in context. Be aware of ambiguity.
May refer to the entire bedding set. Use 敷き布団 when you need to be specific about the mattress part.
A thin padded layer placed on top of an existing mattress for comfort or protection.
Loanword for mattress topper. Common in bedding stores.
マットレストッパーを敷くと柔らかくなります。
If you put on a mattress topper, it becomes softer.
A thin mattress pad or protector, often fitted like a sheet. More common for everyday protection than a thick topper.
敷きパッドを洗濯しました。
I washed the mattress pad.
A mattress filled with air, used for camping or temporary guests.
Standard term for air mattress.
キャンプにエアマットレスを持っていく。
I'll take an air mattress to the camp.
Literally 'air bed', often used interchangeably with エアマットレス.
エアベッドを膨らませる。
Inflate the air bed.
マットレス is a thick Western mattress used on a bed frame. 敷き布団 is a thin Japanese futon mattress placed directly on tatami and stored away daily. Using マットレス for a futon sounds odd, and vice versa.
ホテルにはマットレスがあります。
The hotel has a mattress.
旅館では敷き布団を使います。
At a ryokan, they use futon mattresses.
布団 can refer to the whole bedding set (mattress + quilt). If you need to specify the mattress part, use 敷き布団. In context, 布団を敷く means 'lay out the futon (mattress)', so it's often clear.
布団を干してください。
Please air out the futon (mattress).