Inklingo
← Dictionary

colchón

kol-CHON/kolˈt͡ʃon/

“colchón” means “mattress” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

mattress

Also: pad
NounmA1
A thick, comfortable white mattress with a quilted pattern resting on a simple wooden bed frame.

📝 In Action

Este colchón es muy cómodo y blando.

A1

This mattress is very comfortable and soft.

Necesitamos comprar un colchón nuevo para la cama de invitados.

A2

We need to buy a new mattress for the guest bed.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • lecho (bed/couch (poetic))

Common Collocations

  • colchón de muelles – spring mattress
  • colchón de espuma – foam mattress
  • darle la vuelta al colchón – to flip the mattress

cushion, buffer

Also: safety net
NounmB2
A small pile of gold coins sitting safely inside a glass jar on a shelf.

📝 In Action

Es bueno tener un colchón de ahorros para las emergencias.

B2

It's good to have a cushion of savings for emergencies.

El equipo tiene un colchón de cinco puntos sobre el segundo lugar.

B2

The team has a five-point lead (cushion) over second place.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • déficit (deficit)

Common Collocations

  • colchón financiero – financial cushion
  • servir de colchón – to act as a buffer

Idioms & Expressions

  • guardar dinero bajo el colchón – To save money at home instead of in a bank.

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "colchón" in Spanish:

cushion→mattress→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: colchón

Question 1 of 1

If someone says they have a 'colchón de tiempo,' what do they mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
colchonería(mattress store) — Noun
colchoneta(thin mat/pad) — Noun
colchonero(mattress maker (also a nickname for Atlético de Madrid fans)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
avióncorazóncampeón
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the word 'colcha' (quilt/bedspread), which traces back to the Latin word 'culcita', meaning a stuffed sack or cushion.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: couetteEnglish: quilt

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Atlético de Madrid fans called 'colchoneros'?

In the past, mattresses in Spain were covered with red and white striped fabric. Since Atlético de Madrid's jersey is red and white striped, people started calling them the 'mattress-makers'.

Is 'colchón' used for an air mattress?

Yes, but you usually specify: 'colchón hinchable' or 'colchón de aire'.