Mask in Different Languages
Discover 'Mask' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Masks have been an integral part of human culture and history for centuries. From protecting oneself from harmful elements to playing a crucial role in various cultural and religious ceremonies, masks have held different significances across the world. In many African cultures, masks are used in ceremonies for rites of passage, social commentary, and to communicate with the spirits. Similarly, in Asian cultures, masks have been used in traditional theater, dance, and religious rituals. The use of masks in the Carnival of Venice is a well-known tradition, where people wear ornate masks to maintain anonymity and enjoy freedom from societal norms. Given the cultural importance of masks, it's no surprise that people might want to know its translation in different languages.
For instance, in Spanish, the word for mask is 'máscara', while in French, it's 'masque'. In German, it's 'Maske', and in Japanese, it's '仮面 (kamen)'. These translations not only help us understand the word's equivalent in different languages but also offer insights into the cultural significance of masks in those regions.
Mask
Mask in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | masker | ||
| In Afrikaans, masker can also refer to a type of moth that is destructive to crops | |||
| Amharic | ጭምብል | ||
| The word “ጭምብል” can also refer to a facial expression or a disguise in Amharic. | |||
| Hausa | abin rufe fuska | ||
| In the idiom 'abin rufe fuska' (literally 'a thing that covers the mouth'), 'rufe' can refer to either the mouth or nose. | |||
| Igbo | nkpuchi | ||
| Igbo word "nkpuchi" (mask) is also the term for the carved headpiece of the wooden "Mmwo" figure in Igbo culture. | |||
| Malagasy | hanafina | ||
| The Malagasy word 'hanafina' also refers to a type of ceremonial dance performed in the Betsileo region. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | chigoba | ||
| The word "chigoba" in Nyanja (Chichewa) can also refer to a disguise or a character played in a drama. | |||
| Shona | chifukidzo | ||
| In the past, a person disguised themselves with any piece of material, animal skin or cloth in order to frighten people or perform evil actions; such a piece of cloth was then called chifukidzo. | |||
| Somali | maaskaro | ||
| The term "maaskaro" in Somali can also refer to a disguise or the act of concealing one's identity. | |||
| Sesotho | mask | ||
| The word "mask" in Sesotho can also refer to a "guise" or a "false front" | |||
| Swahili | kinyago | ||
| 'Kinyago' also means 'face' in Swahili, suggesting a connection between masks and the human face. | |||
| Xhosa | imaski | ||
| The word "imaski" can also mean "cover" or "disguise" in Xhosa. | |||
| Yoruba | iboju | ||
| The word "iboju" in Yoruba, while meaning "mask", also signifies "deity" or "spirit," highlighting masks' sacred and spiritual significance in Yoruba culture. | |||
| Zulu | imaski | ||
| The Zulu word 'imaski' can also mean 'disguise' or 'cover'. | |||
| Bambara | masiki | ||
| Ewe | momo | ||
| Kinyarwanda | mask | ||
| Lingala | masque | ||
| Luganda | akakokoolo | ||
| Sepedi | maseke | ||
| Twi (Akan) | nkataanim | ||
Mask in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | قناع | ||
| The word "قناع" originates from the Greek word "persona", meaning "actor's mask" or "character". It can also refer to a protective covering for the face, a disguise, or a metaphor for a hidden identity. | |||
| Hebrew | מסכה | ||
| "מסכה" can also mean "conclusion," "lesson," "example," or "parable" in Hebrew. | |||
| Pashto | ماسک | ||
| "ماسک" (mask) in Pashto could also mean "cover" or "disguise" | |||
| Arabic | قناع | ||
| The word "قناع" originates from the Greek word "persona", meaning "actor's mask" or "character". It can also refer to a protective covering for the face, a disguise, or a metaphor for a hidden identity. | |||
Mask in Western European Languages
| Albanian | maskë | ||
| The Albanian word "maskë" derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *mask-, meaning "to cover". | |||
| Basque | maskara | ||
| In Basque, 'maskara' also refers to a traditional carnival figure representing a mischievous spirit. | |||
| Catalan | màscara | ||
| The Catalan word 'màscara' derives from the Arabic word 'maskharah', meaning 'jester' or 'buffoon'. | |||
| Croatian | maska | ||
| Croatian "maska" originates from Italian "maschera" but it also means "ball", "fancy dress ball", or "disguise". | |||
| Danish | maske | ||
| In Danish, "maske" can also refer to a type of facial cream used for skin care, a specific kind of costume, or a role played in a performance. | |||
| Dutch | masker | ||
| The Dutch word "masker" is derived from the Old French word "masquier", meaning 'to hide one's face', or from the Italian word "maschera", meaning 'a mask worn by actors'. | |||
| English | mask | ||
| The word “mask” originates from Medieval Latin “masca,” meaning a witch or a spectre, or from Arabic “maskharah,” a jester. | |||
| French | masque | ||
| "Masque" originally meant "stain" in Old French, hence its current meaning in English and the French word for "stain" (tache). | |||
| Frisian | masker | ||
| The Frisian word "masker" can also refer to a person who performs in a masked play during a traditional village holiday celebration. | |||
| Galician | máscara | ||
| In Galician, "máscara" also refers to the face or other parts of the body that are exposed to the sun or the elements. | |||
| German | maske | ||
| In addition to meaning "mask," the word "Maske" is also used in German to refer to a cosmetic product or a facial treatment. | |||
| Icelandic | gríma | ||
| In Icelandic folklore, "gríma" can also refer to the skin- or face-changing powers of certain beings. | |||
| Irish | masc | ||
| The Irish word 'masc' (mask) has an alternate use as a term for a male person. | |||
| Italian | maschera | ||
| The term "maschera" is derived from the Arabic "maskhara", meaning "buffoon" or "jester". | |||
| Luxembourgish | mask | ||
| Mësch is derived from Latin "maschera" which means "to cover one's face or head". | |||
| Maltese | maskra | ||
| The Maltese word "maskra" originates from the Italian word "maschera" which means "disguise" or "face covering". In the medieval period, "maskra" was also synonymous with "jester" or "entertainer". | |||
| Norwegian | maske | ||
| In Norwegian, "maske" can also refer to a "disguise" or a "facial expression". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | mascarar | ||
| The verb "mascarar" can also mean “to chew” or, metaphorically, “to hide something”. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | masg | ||
| The Scots Gaelic word "masg" can also mean "disguise" or "masquerade." | |||
| Spanish | máscara | ||
| In Portuguese, "máscara" means "make-up" and "costume ball." | |||
| Swedish | mask | ||
| In Swedish, the word "mask" can also refer to a disguise, a costume, or a cover. | |||
| Welsh | mwgwd | ||
| The word "mwgwd" can also refer to a disguise, a false face, or a phantom. | |||
Mask in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | маска | ||
| Belarusian word "маска" (maska) came from the French word "masque", and now it also means "cream" or "lotion" in Belarusian. | |||
| Bosnian | maska | ||
| Bosnian word 'maska' also means 'ointment'. | |||
| Bulgarian | маска | ||
| В руския език думата е заимствана от староиталиански или от френски езици с посредничество на италиански ма̀ска. | |||
| Czech | maska | ||
| In Czech, "maska" also refers to makeup or a masquerade ball. | |||
| Estonian | mask | ||
| In Estonian, the word "mask" can also refer to a disguise or a performance piece. | |||
| Finnish | naamio | ||
| The Finnish word "naamio" originates from the Proto-Finnic word "naamo" meaning "face" or "appearance". | |||
| Hungarian | maszk | ||
| The word "maszk" in Hungarian possibly originates from the Persian "maskhare" meaning "jester" or "entertainer" | |||
| Latvian | maska | ||
| In Latvian, "maska" can also refer to a costume or a disguise. | |||
| Lithuanian | kaukė | ||
| The Lithuanian word for mask, kaukė, is connected with the root of “kautė” meaning “fight”, but also with “kaina”, meaning “cost”, “value” and “price”. | |||
| Macedonian | маска | ||
| The word "маска" in Macedonian can also refer to a disguise or costume or to the role one may assume to hide their true one | |||
| Polish | maska | ||
| The word "maska" in Polish can also refer to a type of makeup used to cover blemishes or enhance facial features. | |||
| Romanian | masca | ||
| The Romanian word 'mască' (mask) is derived from the Latin 'masca' (specter, ghost), ultimately from the Greek 'maskē' (phantom, apparition). | |||
| Russian | маска | ||
| In addition to "mask", "маска" can also mean "disguise", "camouflage", or "facade" in Russian. | |||
| Serbian | маска | ||
| маска has the alternate meaning of 'a false face worn by an actor' and comes from the French word 'masque' | |||
| Slovak | maska | ||
| The word 'maska' originally referred to a festive costume with a wooden faceplate in Slavic folklore. | |||
| Slovenian | masko | ||
| "Maska" originally meant "a ghost that haunts the house". | |||
| Ukrainian | маска | ||
| "Маска" also means a theatrical performance (masquerade) in Ukrainian. | |||
Mask in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | মুখোশ | ||
| Bengali "মুখোশ" (mukhôsh) is a derivative of Sanskrit "मुखवास" (mukhavas), meaning "face paint" or "face covering." | |||
| Gujarati | મહોરું | ||
| Hindi | मुखौटा | ||
| The word 'मुखौटा' in Hindi stems from the Sanskrit word 'mukha', meaning 'face', and can also refer to a disguise or a false pretense. | |||
| Kannada | ಮುಖವಾಡ | ||
| The Kannada word "ಮುಖವಾಡ" (mukhavāda) also refers to a "veil" or "curtain" in certain contexts. | |||
| Malayalam | മാസ്ക് | ||
| 'മാസ്ക്' ('mask') can also refer to a theatrical or cinematic performance or to the disguise or makeup used in such a performance. | |||
| Marathi | मुखवटा | ||
| The word "मुखवटा" in Marathi can also mean a "façade" or "pretense". | |||
| Nepali | मुकुट | ||
| The term 'mukut' is also used metaphorically to represent an assumed persona or a false front | |||
| Punjabi | ਮਾਸਕ | ||
| "ਮਾਸਕ" is also related to "ਮਾਸ" (meat) in Punjabi, indicating a connection to the idea of covering or disguising something. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | වෙස්මුහුණු | ||
| Sinhala word 'වෙස්මුහුණු' (mask) originated from the Sanskrit word 'वेश्म' (house), signifying the ability of a mask to conceal the wearer's identity and create a 'house' for a different persona. | |||
| Tamil | முகமூடி | ||
| The Tamil word "முகமூடி" has alternate meanings of "facade" and "disguise". | |||
| Telugu | ముసుగు | ||
| मुసుगु (musugu) is also a term used to refer to a veil worn by women, typically made of transparent material, to cover the face and head. | |||
| Urdu | ماسک | ||
| The Urdu word "ماسک" can also mean "disguise" or "pretence". | |||
Mask in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 面具 | ||
| "面具"，从词形上看可以拆分为「示」与「面」，引申有「示人以貌」之意。 | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 面具 | ||
| "面具" can also mean "persona" or "face-saving". | |||
| Japanese | マスク | ||
| In Japanese, the word マスク (masuku) can also refer to a type of athletic supporter worn by sumo wrestlers. | |||
| Korean | 마스크 | ||
| The Korean word "마스크" can also refer to a person's personality or demeanor, especially when it is perceived as artificial or insincere. | |||
| Mongolian | маск | ||
| The word "mask" in Mongolian, "маск", also refers to a masquerade ball or a disguise used for such an event. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | မျက်နှာဖုံး | ||
Mask in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | topeng | ||
| "Topeng" can also mean "to hide one's true identity or intentions," like a mask hides one's face | |||
| Javanese | topeng | ||
| "Topeng" originally denoted the covering used for a puppet's head in the Javanese wayang shadow theatre | |||
| Khmer | របាំង | ||
| The term "របាំង" can also refer to theatrical performance or traditional Khmer dance. | |||
| Lao | ຫນ້າກາກ | ||
| The word "ຫນ້າກາກ" can also refer to a masquerade or a person who wears a mask, and is derived from the Sanskrit word "naṭaka" which means "actor" or "dance". | |||
| Malay | topeng | ||
| Topeng is derived from the old Javanese word 'tumapung', meaning 'to cover' or 'to hide'. | |||
| Thai | หน้ากาก | ||
| 'หน้ากาก' ('mask') is derived from Sanskrit 'naktmukha' ('face at night'), alluding to the use of masks in nocturnal theatrical performances. | |||
| Vietnamese | mặt nạ | ||
| "Mặt nạ" literally means "face curtain" and is used in Vietnamese to refer to both physical masks and metaphorical masks. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | maskara | ||
Mask in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | maska | ||
| "Maska" in Azerbaijani comes from the Arabic word "maskarah," which originally meant "jester" or "buffoon." | |||
| Kazakh | маска | ||
| "Маска" is also a colloquial term in Kazakh for a "disguise" or a "pretense" | |||
| Kyrgyz | маска | ||
| In Kyrgyz, “маска” can also refer to a veil worn by women, especially brides. | |||
| Tajik | ниқоб | ||
| The word "ниқоб" in Tajik also means "veil". | |||
| Turkmen | maska | ||
| Uzbek | niqob | ||
| The word "niqob" can also refer to a scarf or a veil worn by Muslim women to cover their face and hair. | |||
| Uyghur | ماسكا | ||
Mask in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | pale maka | ||
| "Pale" also can refer to a thin piece of wood, or to the ribs | |||
| Maori | kopare | ||
| The word 'kopare' also refers to the 'face' of the mask and can be used to describe a person's face. | |||
| Samoan | ufimata | ||
| The word 'ufimata' in Samoan can also refer to a disguise or a phantom. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | maskara | ||
| The word "maskara" in Tagalog (Filipino) is derived from the Spanish word "mascara", which originally meant "smudge" or "stain." | |||
Mask in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | maskarilla | ||
| Guarani | tovajo'a | ||
Mask in International Languages
| Esperanto | masko | ||
| Esperanto's "masko" comes from the Polish "maska" and the French "masque". | |||
| Latin | persona | ||
| In Latin, "persona" originally referred to the mask worn by an actor, but it also carried the meanings "character" or "individual." | |||
Mask in Others Languages
| Greek | μάσκα | ||
| Μάσκα's root, 'μάσσειν,' also means 'to knead' and 'to touch' in ancient Greek. | |||
| Hmong | daim npog qhov ncauj | ||
| This Hmong word derives from a Chinese word meaning 'face cloth'. | |||
| Kurdish | berrû | ||
| The word "berrû" in Kurdish has its origins in the Persian word "bārū" meaning "face" or "appearance". | |||
| Turkish | maske | ||
| In Turkish, maske can also mean 'a gathering of masked people' | |||
| Xhosa | imaski | ||
| The word "imaski" can also mean "cover" or "disguise" in Xhosa. | |||
| Yiddish | מאַסקע | ||
| Yiddish "מאַסקע" comes from the Old High German "masca" which can also mean "specter" or "sorcerer". | |||
| Zulu | imaski | ||
| The Zulu word 'imaski' can also mean 'disguise' or 'cover'. | |||
| Assamese | মুখা | ||
| Aymara | maskarilla | ||
| Bhojpuri | मुखौटा | ||
| Dhivehi | މާސްކު | ||
| Dogri | मास्क | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | maskara | ||
| Guarani | tovajo'a | ||
| Ilocano | maskara | ||
| Krio | maks | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | دەمامک | ||
| Maithili | मुखौटा | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯃꯥꯏꯈꯨꯝ | ||
| Mizo | hmaikawr | ||
| Oromo | aguuguu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ମାସ୍କ | ||
| Quechua | saynata | ||
| Sanskrit | मुखावरण | ||
| Tatar | маска | ||
| Tigrinya | መሸፈኒ | ||
| Tsonga | masika | ||