Japanese word

仮面

Pronunciation

Romajikamen

Meaning

  • nounmask

Example

祭りで仮面をかぶります。matsu ri de ka men o ka bu ri ma su

I wear a mask at the festival.

Illustration for 仮面 (mask)

More examples

写真を撮るときだけ、仮面を外してもいいです。sha shin o to ru to ki da ke ka men o hazu shi te mo i i de su

You may take off your mask only when taking a photo.

Core concept

Covers the face to hide identity or creates a false outer appearance.

Common phrases

  • 仮面をかぶるka men o ka bu ru

    wear a mask

  • 仮面を外すka men o hazu su

    take off a mask

Similar words

お面omen: A face covering commonly worn for festivals, costumes, or performances.
覆面fukumen: A face covering that conceals the wearer's identity.
面men: A formal or traditional face covering used in theater or ritual.

Definition in Japanese

顔を覆って正体を隠したり、別人に見せかけたりするもの。kao o ō tte shō tai o kaku shi ta ri betsu jin ni mi se ka ke ta ri su ru mo no

Word origin

仮面 (kamen, "mask") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 仮 (ka, "temporary or false") and 面 (men, "face or surface").

Usage tips

  • The superhero franchise 仮面ライダー (Kamen Raidā) puts 仮面 (kamen, "mask") in its title and features masked heroes.

Other meanings

  • disguisenoun

Word lists with this word