Inklingo

How to Say "costumes" in Spanish

English → Spanish

disfraces

/dees-FRA-ses//disˈfɾases/

nounA2informal
Use 'disfraces' when referring to outfits worn for fun at parties, festivals, Halloween, or theatrical performances where the goal is to impersonate someone or something else.
A collection of colorful costumes hanging on a rack, including a superhero cape, a pirate hat, and a fairy wand.

Examples

Los niños se divirtieron mucho con sus disfraces de animales.

The children had a lot of fun with their animal costumes.

Me encantan tus disfraces de superhéroes.

I love your superhero costumes.

Mañana hay una fiesta de disfraces en la escuela.

Tomorrow there is a costume party at the school.

Los espías usaron disfraces para entrar al edificio.

The spies used disguises to enter the building.

The 'Z' to 'C' Swap

In Spanish, when a word ends in 'z' (like 'disfraz'), it always changes to a 'c' before adding 'es' to make it plural. It's just a spelling rule to keep the 's' sound!

Masculine Plural

Even though it ends in 'es', this word is masculine. Use 'los' or 'unos' when talking about these costumes.

Spelling Error

Mistake: “disfrazes”

Correction: disfraces (Remember: words ending in 'z' change to 'c' in the plural form).

trajes

/TRAH-hes//ˈtɾaxes/

nounA1formal
Use 'trajes' for formal or semi-formal attire, such as suits or elegant outfits, worn for specific events like weddings, business meetings, or formal dances.
Three distinct, neatly tailored men's business suits—one navy, one gray, and one black—standing upright in a row, representing formal attire.

Examples

El novio llevaba un elegante traje azul.

The groom was wearing an elegant blue suit.

Necesito comprar dos trajes nuevos para la boda.

I need to buy two new suits for the wedding.

Los niños llevaban trajes de superhéroes en la fiesta.

The children were wearing superhero costumes at the party.

Todos sus trajes de buceo están guardados en el garaje.

All their diving suits are stored in the garage.

Plural Noun Rule

This word is the plural of the masculine noun 'traje' (suit/costume). Since 'traje' ends in a vowel, you just add '-s' to make it plural: traje → trajes.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'las trajes'.”

Correction: Since 'traje' is a masculine noun, its plural must use the masculine article: 'los trajes'.

Disfraces vs. Trajes

The most common mistake is using 'trajes' for playful or character-based outfits. Remember, 'disfraces' are for dressing up as someone or something else (like a superhero or a ghost), while 'trajes' are typically more formal clothing for special occasions.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.