tatami

/təˈtɑː.mi/ Japanese Origin Home

Original Word

畳

Kanji (tatami)

Entered English

Early 20th century

First recorded usage in English

The Story Behind "tatami"

From Japanese 'tatami' (畳), a type of mat used as flooring in traditional Japanese rooms. Made of rice straw and woven rush grass. Room sizes in Japan are still measured in tatami mats.

Example Usage

"The traditional room had tatami mats and sliding paper doors."

All Japanese Loanwords Look Up in Dictionary

More Japanese Loanwords

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