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.
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.
The Japanese-style room has tatami mats.
A rug or small carpet, often used for decorative purposes or to cover a specific area.
I put a new rug in the living room.
Carpet, often wall-to-wall. Can also refer to a large rug.
The hotel hallway has thick carpet.
A padded mat used for exercise, yoga, or gymnastics.
A mat placed at an entrance for wiping shoes.
A small mat placed under a plate or bowl on a dining table.
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.
I lay out the futon mattress and sleep.
A sleeping pad used with a sleeping bag, often for camping.
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.
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).
I use a mouse pad.
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.
I need a mat for yoga.
新しいドアマットを買った。
I bought a new doormat.
薄いマットレスだと腰が痛くなる。
A thin mattress makes my back hurt.