Inklingo

How to Say "to hide" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to hide” is “esconder” — use this for physically hiding an object or person from view, often with the intention of it not being found easily.

esconder🔊A1

Use this for physically hiding an object or person from view, often with the intention of it not being found easily.

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ocultar🔊A2

This is used for hiding a physical object or person, often implying a more deliberate or secretive concealment than 'esconder'.

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cubrir🔊A1

Use this when the action of hiding involves covering something with another object, often for protection or concealment.

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disimular🔊B1

This verb specifically refers to hiding emotions, intentions, or true feelings, often by pretending or feigning something else.

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encubrir🔊B2

Use this when hiding the truth, a crime, or wrongdoing, often involving actively shielding someone or something from discovery.

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sepultar🔊B2

This is used metaphorically to describe hiding something deeply, like a secret, memory, or even physically burying something.

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English → Spanish

esconder

ess-kohn-DEHRes.konˈdeɾ

verbA1general
Use this for physically hiding an object or person from view, often with the intention of it not being found easily.
A small, colorful toy shovel is tucked out of sight beneath a stack of three large, striped beach towels on a sandy beach.

Examples

Escondí el regalo para que nadie lo viera antes de la fiesta.

I hid the present so that no one would see it before the party.

Ella siempre esconde sus sentimientos detrás de una sonrisa.

She always conceals her feelings behind a smile.

¿Dónde escondiste las llaves del coche?

Where did you hide the car keys?

Requires an Object

When used transitively, 'esconder' must be followed by what is being hidden (the direct object). You can't just say 'Yo escondo' without saying what.

ocultar

oh-kool-TAHRo.kulˈtaɾ

verbA2general
This is used for hiding a physical object or person, often implying a more deliberate or secretive concealment than 'esconder'.
A simple illustration showing a pair of hands hiding a small red ball behind a large green bush.

Examples

Ella ocultó las llaves debajo del felpudo.

She hid the keys under the doormat.

El sol se ocultó tras las montañas al anochecer.

The sun hid (set) behind the mountains at dusk.

Using the Reflexive Form

When the subject is hiding itself (like 'I hid myself'), you must use the reflexive form: 'ocultarse'. For example, 'Me oculté en el armario' (I hid in the closet).

Hiding Yourself

Mistake: “Yo oculté en el armario.”

Correction: Yo me oculté en el armario. (The action must reflect back onto the person doing the hiding.)

cubrir

koo-BREERkuˈβriɾ

verbA1general
Use this when the action of hiding involves covering something with another object, often for protection or concealment.
A red box being completely draped and concealed by a bright blue blanket.

Examples

Ella siempre cubre el sofá con una manta para protegerlo.

She always covers the sofa with a blanket to protect it.

La nieve cubrió toda la montaña en una noche.

The snow covered the whole mountain in one night.

Para la pintura, debes cubrir las ventanas con papel.

For painting, you must cover the windows with paper.

Irregular Past Participle

Even though 'cubrir' is mostly regular, its past participle (the form used with 'haber' or as an adjective) is irregular: 'cubierto', not 'cubrido'. Always remember this exception!

Using 'cubrir' for closing things

Mistake: “Voy a cubrir la botella.”

Correction: Voy a tapar la botella. ('Tapar' is better when referring to putting a lid or stopper on something.)

disimular

dee-see-moo-LAHRdisimuˈlaɾ

verbB1general
This verb specifically refers to hiding emotions, intentions, or true feelings, often by pretending or feigning something else.
A child hiding a mischievous smile behind their hand while sitting at a dinner table.

Examples

Ella intentó disimular su tristeza con una sonrisa.

She tried to hide her sadness with a smile.

Usa maquillaje para disimular la cicatriz.

She uses makeup to conceal the scar.

No puedes disimular que estás enojado conmigo.

You can't hide the fact that you are angry with me.

Using 'disimular' with 'que'

When you want to say someone is hiding the fact that something is happening, use 'disimular que' followed by a normal sentence. For example: 'Disimula que tiene miedo' (He hides that he is afraid).

It's completely regular

Good news! This verb follows the standard pattern for all '-ar' verbs in every tense, so you don't have to worry about weird spelling changes.

Disimular vs. Esconder

Mistake: “Using 'disimular' when you physically put an object inside a box.”

Correction: Use 'esconder' for physical objects you hide from sight. Use 'disimular' when you are trying to make something look different or less noticeable, like a stain on your shirt.

encubrir

en-koo-BREERen.kuˈβɾiɾ

verbB2general
Use this when hiding the truth, a crime, or wrongdoing, often involving actively shielding someone or something from discovery.
A child hiding a small wooden toy box under a thick green blanket on a wooden floor.

Examples

Ella intentó encubrir su tristeza con una gran sonrisa.

She tried to hide her sadness with a big smile.

La densa niebla encubría el valle por completo.

The thick fog concealed the valley completely.

Es difícil encubrir la falta de experiencia en este trabajo.

It's hard to mask the lack of experience in this job.

A special 'done' form

Even though the rest of the verb is regular, the 'past participle' (the form used for things like 'I have hidden') is 'encubierto,' not 'encubrido.'

Action vs. Result

Use 'encubrir' for the active process of trying to hide something, especially something that shouldn't be hidden.

Using the wrong participle

Mistake: “He encubrido la verdad.”

Correction: He encubierto la verdad. (The word 'encubrir' follows the pattern of 'cubrir,' which uses 'cubierto').

sepultar

seh-pool-TAHRse.pulˈtaɾ

verbB2figurative
This is used metaphorically to describe hiding something deeply, like a secret, memory, or even physically burying something.
A small red toy car being completely covered by a large pile of falling autumn leaves.

Examples

La avalancha sepultó el pequeño pueblo bajo la nieve.

The avalanche buried the small village under the snow.

Intentó sepultar sus miedos en el trabajo constante.

He tried to bury his fears in constant work.

Ese escándalo sepultó su carrera política para siempre.

That scandal buried his political career forever.

Burying things vs. ideas

You can use this word for physical things (like a car in snow) and invisible things (like a memory). It works exactly like the English word 'bury' in that way.

Preposition Choice

Mistake: “La nieve sepultó el coche en escombros.”

Correction: Use 'bajo' (under) or 'entre' (among) to show what is covering the object: 'sepultó el coche bajo la nieve'.

Confusing Hiding Objects vs. Feelings

Learners often confuse 'esconder'/'ocultar' (for objects/people) with 'disimular' (for feelings/intentions). Remember, if you're hiding what you feel or plan to do, use 'disimular'. For physical items, 'esconder' or 'ocultar' are usually the correct choices.

Related Translations

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