1. A traditional Japanese floor covering: This is the most common meaning. Tatami mats are made from tightly woven rush straw, and are typically rectangular in shape. They are used as flooring in traditional Japanese houses and rooms, and are also often found in tea rooms, martial arts dojos, and other traditional spaces.
2. The unit of measurement for tatami mats: The size of a tatami mat is used as a unit of measurement for rooms and buildings in Japan. A standard tatami mat is about 1.65 meters long and 0.9 meters wide. The size of a room might be described as "six tatami" or "eight tatami," meaning it could fit six or eight tatami mats.
3. The room itself: Sometimes, the term "tatami" can be used to refer to a room that is covered with tatami mats. For example, you might hear someone say "Let's meet in the tatami room."
4. The feeling of a tatami room: Tatami mats have a unique texture and smell that is often associated with a sense of tradition, comfort, and peacefulness. Some people use the term "tatami" to refer to this feeling.
So, when you see the word "tatami," it can have several different meanings depending on the context.