esterilla
/esteɾiʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'sleeping mat' is translated into Spanish as esterilla.
The term esterilla is a general word for a thin mat used for various activities, such as yoga, gymnastics or sleeping on the ground. To specify that the mat is intended for sleeping, you can use the phrase esterilla de dormir.
Meaning: a thin mat used to insulate a sleeper from the ground (noun)
Which one should you use?
While esterilla refers to a thin mat that is often woven or made of foam, colchoneta refers to a thicker, more padded mat or a small mattress used for the same purpose.
How do you pronounce it?
/esteɾiʝa/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, esterilla is used to describe a small rug or mat used specifically for prayer, similar to the 'sajjada' used in Islamic cultures.
- The word esterilla uses the suffix -illa, which is a diminutive. In this case, it doesn't just mean 'small', but identifies a specific type of thin mat compared to a larger estera.
- In Spanish, the physical act of laying out a sleeping mat on the ground is often described using the verb estirar, which means 'to stretch'.
Examples in context
- Juan llevó su colchoneta para dormir al campamento.Juan brought his sleeping mat to the campsite.
- Necesito una esterilla para acampar.I need a sleeping mat for camping.
- La esterilla es muy fina.The sleeping mat is very thin.
- Pon la esterilla sobre el suelo.Put the sleeping mat on the floor.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are preparing for a hiking trip.
- Sofía¿Tienes tu esterilla en la mochila?Do you have your sleeping mat in your backpack?
- MateoSí, la esterilla está aquí.Yes, the sleeping mat is here.
- SofíaPerfecto, Mateo.Perfect, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Y tú, Sofía, tienes la tuya?And you, Sofía, do you have yours?
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esterilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
