matelas pneumatique
/mat.la pnø.ma.tik/masculine
The English phrase lilo is translated into French as matelas pneumatique. If unsure, use matelas pneumatique. Wiktionary also lists matelas gonflable.
Meaning: inflatable air mattress (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| matelas pneumatique | /mat.la pnø.ma.tik/ /mat.lɑ pnø.ma.tik/ |
masculine |
| matelas gonflable | /mat.la ɡɔ̃.flabl/ /mat.lɑ ɡɔ̃.flabl/ |
masculine |
The term refers to an inflatable air mattress.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word lilo is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- In French, the word pneumatique is deeply rooted in the Ancient Greek word for 'spirit' or 'breath', meaning your inflatable mattress is etymologically connected to the concept of a soul.
- In some contexts, a matelas can refer to a 'cushion' of money or a financial safety net, rather than a piece of bedding.
- If you say you are 'gonflé' in a figurative sense, you are not talking about your mattress, but rather saying that you are 'cheeky' or 'impudent'.
Examples in context
- Le matelas pneumatique est dans la voiture.The inflatable air mattress is in the car.
- Il faut acheter un matelas pneumatique pour le camping.We need to buy an inflatable air mattress for camping.
- Est-ce que ce matelas pneumatique est confortable ?Is this inflatable air mattress comfortable?
Example conversation
Lucas and Lea are preparing a guest room for a friend.
- LucasOù est le matelas pneumatique, Léa ?Where is the air mattress, Lea?
- LéaIl est dans le placard, Lucas.It is in the closet, Lucas.
- LucasJe vais gonfler le matelas pneumatique maintenant.I am going to inflate the air mattress now.
- LéaC'est une bonne idée, merci !That is a good idea, thanks!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lilo” translations and entries matelas pneumatique, matelas gonflable, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gonflable, matelas, pneumatique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
