How to say "mask" in Japanese

• 仮面かめんCommon
  nounA mask worn over the face, as for a costume or a disguise; it can also suggest a figurative mask, a false front put on to hide one's true self.
  彼かれは正体しょうたいを見破みやぶられないように仮面かめんをつけていた。↗

  He wore a mask so that no one could recognize him.
• 覆面ふくめんJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveEmphasizes covering the face — with a mask or a veil — so that one's identity stays hidden; it often describes the covering-up itself, or a disguised person, rather than the mask as an object.
  覆面ふくめんをした男おとこ達たちが旅客りょかくを襲おそって金きんを奪うばった。↗

  Masked men held up the passengers and robbed them of their money.
• 面めんJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA mask, or a protective face guard — the face guard worn in kendo, for instance. It names the object itself rather than the act of hiding the face.
  その男おとこはトラの面めんをかぶっていた。↗

  The man wore a mask of a tiger.

Choose 仮面 for a mask worn on the face, as for a costume or disguise; 覆面 for covering the face to hide one's identity; and 面 for a mask or a protective face guard.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 仮面かめんmask
• 覆面ふくめんmask
• 覆い隠すおおいかくすto mask
• 化けの皮ばけのかわmask (concealing one's true character)
• お面おめんmask
• 仮面劇かめんげきmasque
• マスク(face) mask
• 面おもてmask (esp. a noh or kyogen mask)
• 面めんmask
• 被り物かぶりもの(novelty) mask
• 皮かわmask (hiding one's true nature)