Translation guide
The English word 'mask' covers physical face coverings, disguises, and figurative concealment. In Japanese, different words are used depending on the purpose and context.
A covering worn over the nose and mouth for protection, hygiene, or fashion.
The most common word for any mask worn on the face, especially surgical masks, dust masks, and fashion masks. A loanword from English.
毎日マスクを着けています。
I wear a mask every day.
花粉症なのでマスクが手放せません。
I have hay fever, so I can't go without a mask.
A mask or cloth covering the entire face, often used for disguise or by criminals. Not for hygiene masks.
犯人は覆面をかぶっていた。
The criminal was wearing a mask.
A mask that covers the face, often associated with masquerade balls, theater, or superheroes. Not for everyday hygiene masks.
仮面舞踏会ではみんな仮面を着けていた。
Everyone wore masks at the masquerade ball.
Something that hides one's true identity or appearance, often for deception or anonymity.
Used figuratively for a false front or persona. Also used literally for a mask that hides the face.
彼は仮面をかぶって本心を隠している。
He wears a mask and hides his true feelings.
Often implies anonymity, such as an anonymous writer or a masked criminal.
A phrase meaning 'to hide one's identity', often used when someone is not literally wearing a mask but is concealing who they are.
彼は正体を隠してSNSで活動している。
He operates on social media hiding his identity.
Something that hides one's true emotions, intentions, or the reality of a situation.
Literally 'to put on a mask', used figuratively to mean pretending to be someone you're not or hiding your true feelings.
彼女はいつも仮面をかぶっていて、本音がわからない。
She always wears a mask, so I don't know her true feelings.
An idiom meaning to feign innocence or hide one's true nature, like a wolf in sheep's clothing. Often used for someone acting nice when they are not.
彼は上司の前では猫をかぶっている。
He puts on a mask in front of his boss.
A noun meaning 'façade' or 'pretense'. Can be used to describe a mask of friendliness or competence.
A sturdy covering for the face used in sports or dangerous activities.
Used for sports masks like fencing masks or baseball catcher's masks. Context makes the type clear.
フェンシングのマスクを着用してください。
Please wear a fencing mask.
A transparent shield or cage protecting the face, used in sports like baseball or ice hockey.
A cosmetic treatment applied to the face, often a sheet or paste.
Refers to a facial mask pack, usually a sheet mask or peel-off mask for skincare.
週に一度、美容パックをしています。
I use a beauty mask once a week.
A loanword for face mask, often used in beauty contexts, but can also mean hygiene mask.
このフェイスマスクは保湿効果が高い。
This face mask is highly moisturizing.
マスク is the default for everyday hygiene masks. 仮面 implies a disguise or false front, often theatrical or figurative. 覆面 suggests full-face concealment for anonymity or crime. Do not use 仮面 for a surgical mask.
風邪をひいたのでマスクをします。
I'll wear a mask because I have a cold.
彼は覆面をして銀行に押し入った。
He wore a mask and broke into the bank.
When 'mask' means hiding emotions, using マスク is unnatural. Use 仮面をかぶる or 猫をかぶる instead. マスク is only for physical face coverings.
覆面作家の正体は誰も知らない。
No one knows the true identity of the anonymous writer.
彼の優しさは見せかけに過ぎない。
His kindness is just a mask.
The pitcher is wearing a face guard.