How to Say "Mask" in Chinese - How To Say Guide

面具

miànjù

The English word mask translates to Chinese as 面具 (miànjù). Wiktionary also lists 面罩 (miànzhào).

Meaning: cover for the face (noun)

Ways to say it

“mask” in Chinese
Chinese	Romanization (Wiktionary)
面具	miànjù
面罩	miànzhào

面具 is typically used for decorative masks, theatrical masks or masks used for disguise.

The word 面具 is composed of 面 (face) and 具 (tool/device).

面罩 is used for functional or protective masks, such as a welding mask, a gas mask or a face shield.

The verb 戴 is used with 面具 to express the action of wearing or putting on a mask.

miànjù

The most common and standard term for mask in Chinese is 口罩.

The character 面 (miàn) in 面具 refers to the 'face' but is also the same character used for 'noodles', as both are flat and surface-like.
Chinese has distinct words for different types of facial coverings, such as 眼罩 (yǎn zhào) for a sleep mask and 口罩 (kǒu zhào) for a surgical mask, instead of using one general word for 'mask'.
In historical Chinese texts, the term 面具 was sometimes used to refer to the 'face' of a puppet or a statue, treating the object as a tool for representation.

这个面具完全盖住了你的脸。
This mask completely seals your face.
This sentence shows how to use 面具 to describe a mask covering a face.
Tatoeba #13104150 by maina, translation #10861260 by Amastan
他摘下了面具，卸下了偽裝。極右翼候選人的意圖已昭然若揭。
He's taken off his mask, torn off his costume. There's no doubt now about what the far-right candidate intends.
This sentence uses 面具 metaphorically to describe the removal of a disguise.
Tatoeba #13907661 by LeviHighway, translation #13446160 by carlosalberto
那个男人戴着一个老虎的面具。
That man was wearing a tiger mask.
This sentence demonstrates how to use 面具 to describe an animal-themed mask.
Tatoeba #939410 by U2FS, translation #700651 by papabear
请确保佩戴口罩，以保护自己和他人。
Please make sure to wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
医生在手术室里配戴面罩。
Doctors wear masks in the operating room.
我忘记戴口罩了，一会儿去买一下。
I forgot to wear a mask, I'll go buy one later.
带上口罩儿再出门。
Put on the mask before going out.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Junjie and Yuting are preparing for a costume party.

俊杰 Junjie

雨婷，你的面具在哪里？
Yǔtíng, nǐ de miànjù zài nǎlǐ?
Yuting, where is your mask?
雨婷 Yuting

在桌子上，那个金色的面具。
Zài zhuōzi shàng, nàge jīnsè de miànjù.
It's on the table, that golden mask.
俊杰 Junjie

这个面具看起来很酷。
Zhège miànjù kàn qǐlái hěn kù.
This mask looks very cool.
雨婷 Yuting

谢谢，俊杰，你也快戴上吧。
Xièxie, Jùnjié, nǐ yě kuài dài shàng ba.
Thanks, Junjie, you put yours on quickly too.

Sources

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