You put down a thinset mortar. A thinset mortar is a type of adhesive made for tile installation that is a mix of cement, latex admixture, and fine sand. It dries quickly and forms a hard, smooth surface that is perfect for tile installation.

You put down a mortar bed before ceramic tile. A mortar bed is a layer of cement used to create a level surface for tile installation. It is composed of sand, portland cement, and water. The mix proportions vary depending on the application, but for ceramic tile installation, it is typically 3 parts sand to 1 part portland cement by volume.