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How to Say "disguise" in Spanish

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disfraz

/dees-frahs//disˈfɾaθ/

nounA1general
Use 'disfraz' when referring to clothing or a costume worn to conceal one's identity, typically for parties or performances.
A happy child wearing a fluffy, full-body lion costume with a mane and tail, ready for a party.

Examples

Se puso un disfraz de pirata para Halloween.

He put on a pirate costume for Halloween.

Mi hermana se puso un disfraz de hada para la fiesta de cumpleaños.

My sister put on a fairy costume for the birthday party.

El niño no reconoció a su padre con el disfraz de oso.

The child didn't recognize his father in the bear disguise.

Necesitamos comprar un disfraz nuevo para Halloween.

We need to buy a new costume for Halloween.

Gender Rule

Even though 'disfraz' ends in 'z', it is always a masculine noun. You must use 'el' (el disfraz) and 'los' for the plural ('los disfraces').

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'disfraz' (the noun) when you mean 'to dress up'.”

Correction: To say 'I dressed up,' use the related verb 'disfrazarse' (Me disfracé), not the noun.

máscara

nounA1general
Use 'máscara' for a physical covering worn over the face to hide identity, often as part of a costume or for protection.

Examples

Llevaba una máscara para ocultar su rostro.

She wore a mask to hide her face.

maquillaje

/mah-kee-YAH-heh//ma.kiˈʝa.xe/

nounC1formal, figurative
Use 'maquillaje' figuratively to describe superficial alterations or attempts to cover up or falsify a situation or appearance.
A simple illustration showing a small, gray object (representing truth or facts) completely hidden and obscured beneath a large, brightly colored, decorative cloth.

Examples

El gobierno intentó un maquillaje de las cifras económicas.

The government attempted a cover-up of the economic figures.

El informe financiero era solo un maquillaje de la situación real de la empresa.

The financial report was merely a cover-up of the company's real situation.

Los políticos intentaron hacer un maquillaje a las cifras de desempleo.

The politicians tried to disguise the unemployment figures.

Literal vs. Figurative Use

Learners often confuse 'disfraz' and 'maquillaje'. Remember that 'disfraz' (and 'máscara') refers to a physical disguise, like a costume, while 'maquillaje' is used metaphorically for covering up a bad situation or appearance.

Related Translations

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