毛布

もうふ

blanket

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 毛布 (もうふ) means "blanket" in Japanese. It refers to a thick covering used to keep warm, especially during cold weather. It is a common household item and often appears in daily conversation related to sleeping or staying warm.

Common Contexts

毛布 is typically used when talking about bedding or warmth. For example, you might hear it when someone talks about how they sleep during winter or how they keep warm at night.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 毛布にくるまる: to wrap oneself in a blanket, often implying seeking warmth or comfort.
  • 毛布を洗う: to wash a blanket, a common household activity.
  • 毛布を重ねる: to layer blankets, usually to increase warmth.

Register and Nuance

毛布 is a neutral, everyday word suitable for casual and polite conversation. It is not formal or technical.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 毛布 with 布団 (ふとん), which means "futon" or bedding set. 毛布 specifically means "blanket," which is usually thinner and used as a cover, while 布団 refers to the whole bedding including mattress and cover.

Example Sentences

さむいよるはもうふにくるまってねるのがすきです。

I like to wrap myself in a blanket and sleep on cold nights.

もうふをせんたくしたらふわふわになりました。

After washing the blanket, it became fluffy.

ふゆはもうふをなんまいもかさねてねます。

In winter, I sleep with several blankets layered.