felpudo
/felˈpudo/masculine
The Spanish word for "doormat" is felpudo.
A felpudo refers specifically to a coarse mat placed at the entrance of a house.
Meaning: coarse mat that appears at the entrance to a house (noun)
Which one should you use?
While felpudo is the specific term for a coarse doormat, the word tapete is more general and can refer to a small rug or mat, even if it is not specifically located at an entrance.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use el tapete to mean doormat.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "doormats", use felpudos.
How do you pronounce it?
/felˈpudo/
Did you know?
- The word felpudo comes from felpa, which refers to a plush or velvety fabric. This means the word literally describes a mat made of a thick, napped material.
- The suffix -udo in felpudo is used to describe people in a physical sense, such as barbudo for someone with a big beard or pezudo for someone with big feet.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, placing a felpudo outside the door is not just for cleaning shoes, but is seen as a boundary marker between the public street and the private sanctuary of the home.
Examples in context
- No me gusta su felpudo.I don't like their doormat.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal dislike for someone's felpudo.Tatoeba #5011551 by don_ramon, translation #13602989 by sfgdh
- El felpudo está mugriento.The doormat is filthy.This sentence is useful for describing the condition of a felpudo.Tatoeba #5011553 by don_ramon, translation #10832559 by Luornu
- Por favor, pise el felpudo al entrarPlease step on the doormat when entering
- No olvides limpiar la esteraDon't forget to clean the doormat
- Pisa el tapete antes de entrarStep on the doormat before entering
- Por favor, limpia la alfombra de entradaPlease clean the entry rug
- No olvides limpiar el tapete de la entradaDon't forget to clean the doormat at the entrance
- Necesito comprar un felpudo nuevo.I need to buy a new doormat.
Example conversation
Javier and María are cleaning the entrance of their home.
- JavierMira, este felpudo está muy viejo.Look, this doormat is very old.
- MaríaTienes razón, Javier.You are right, Javier.
- Javier¿Compramos un felpudo de color oscuro?Should we buy a dark-colored doormat?
- MaríaSí, sería una buena idea.Yes, that would be a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “doormat” translations and entries felpudo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries felpudo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
