Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Mask in Spanish: Máscara, Mascarilla & Regional Terms
Máscara · noun (feminine) · MAHS-kah-rah
Mask in Spanish is máscara for decorative, theatrical, or protective masks. For medical or surgical face masks, the term varies by country: mascarilla (Spain), cubrebocas (Mexico), tapabocas (Colombia/Venezuela), or barbijo (Argentina). A beauty face mask is also mascarilla facial.
MAHS-kah-rah — three syllables, stress on the first (esdrújula word, always accented). The sc is a clean 'sk' sound.
Los niños se pusieron máscaras para la fiesta de disfraces.
The kids put on masks for the costume party.
Mask in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for mask, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| máscara | mask | MAHS-kah-rah | Default, widely understood |
| mascarilla | mask | face mask (medical/cosmetic) | |
| cubrebocas | mask | Mexico: face covering | |
| tapabocas | mask | Colombia, Venezuela: face covering | |
| barbijo | mask | Argentina: face mask |
How Native Speakers Use Máscara
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Costume mask
Compró una máscara veneciana para el carnaval.
She bought a Venetian mask for carnival.
Máscara refers to decorative or theatrical masks worn to cover the face.
Medical face mask (Mexico)
Es obligatorio usar cubrebocas en el hospital.
Wearing a face mask is mandatory in the hospital.
Cubrebocas is the standard term in Mexico for disposable or cloth face masks.
Skincare mask
Me pongo una mascarilla facial de arcilla cada semana.
I put on a clay face mask every week.
Mascarilla facial distinguishes a beauty treatment from other types of masks.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Máscara
Using máscara for a medical face mask in Mexico
Incorrect: Ponte la máscara antes de entrar. (meaning surgical mask)
Correct: Ponte el cubrebocas antes de entrar.
In Mexico, máscara evokes a Halloween or costume mask. Medical face masks are cubrebocas. Each country has its preferred term.
Confusing máscara with mascara (cosmetic)
Incorrect: Se puso máscara en las pestañas.
Correct: Se puso rímel / máscara de pestañas en las pestañas.
While máscara can refer to mascara (the cosmetic), the more precise term is rímel or máscara de pestañas to avoid confusion with a face mask.
Lock in Mask Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Máscara used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using máscara in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Los niños se pusieron máscaras para la fiesta de disfraces. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Mask in Spanish
- How do you say mask in Spanish?
- A decorative or full-face mask is máscara. A medical face mask is mascarilla (Spain), cubrebocas (Mexico), tapabocas (Colombia), or barbijo (Argentina).
- What is the difference between máscara and mascarilla?
- Máscara is a full mask (costume, gas mask, theatrical). Mascarilla is a smaller face covering — either a medical mask or a skincare treatment applied to the face.
- How do you say gas mask in Spanish?
- Gas mask is máscara de gas or máscara antigás. These terms are universal across all Spanish-speaking countries.