Japanese word

畳

Pronunciation

Romajitatami

Meaning

  • nountatami mat

Example

畳の上で寝ます。tatami no ue de ne ma su

I sleep on a tatami mat.

Illustration for 畳 (tatami mat)

More examples

旅館の畳に座ると、気持ちが落ち着きます。ryo kan no tatami ni suwa ru to ki mo chi ga o chi tsu ki ma su

Sitting on the tatami in a Japanese inn makes me feel relaxed.

Core concept

A 畳 (tatami, "tatami mat") is a thick, rectangular mat whose placement helps define the layout of a traditional Japanese room.

Common phrases

  • 畳の上tatami no ue

    on a tatami mat

  • 畳を敷くtatami o shi ku

    lay a tatami mat

  • 畳に座るtatami ni suwa ru

    sit on a tatami mat

Definition in Japanese

日本の住居で床に敷く、芯材を藺草などで包んだ長方形の敷物。nihon no jū kyo de yuka ni shi ku shin zai o i gusa na do de tsutsu n da chō hō kei no shiki mono

Word origin

畳 (tatami, "tatami mat") is related to the native verb 畳む (tatamu, "to fold"), as mats were traditionally folded or piled up before being laid out.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may use tatami for the mat itself or for traditional flooring made from matching mats, so tatami mat is also common for clarity.

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