Translation guide
A cloak is a loose outer garment, often without sleeves, that drapes over the shoulders. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is マント, but other words like クローク and 外套 exist with different nuances. This guide also covers figurative uses like 'cloak of secrecy.'
A garment worn over other clothes, typically sleeveless, that hangs from the shoulders, often used for warmth or fashion.
Used metaphorically to describe something that hides or obscures, like 'under the cloak of darkness' or 'cloak of secrecy.'
A common pattern meaning 'hidden behind ~' or 'under the cover of ~.' It conveys the idea of using something as a cloak to conceal actions.
彼らは夜の闇の陰に隠れて逃げた。
They escaped under the cloak of darkness.
マント is the most versatile and commonly used word for a cloak or cape in modern Japanese. クローク is a loanword that often appears in fantasy or historical settings and can also mean 'cloakroom.' 外套 is a more formal, sometimes old-fashioned term for an overcoat or heavy cloak, and is less frequent in daily conversation.
Avoid directly translating 'cloak' in figurative phrases like 'cloak of secrecy' as マント or クローク. Instead, use patterns like ～の陰に隠れて or ～に紛れて to convey the meaning naturally.
He was wearing a black cloak.
魔法使いは長いマントを着ている。
The wizard is wearing a long cloak.
A loanword from English, often used for a cloak or a cloakroom. It can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned than マント, and is common in fantasy or historical contexts.
その騎士は深紅のクロークをまとっていた。
The knight wore a crimson cloak.
A more formal or literary term for an overcoat or cloak. It can refer to a heavy outer garment, sometimes with sleeves, and is less common in everyday speech.
彼は外套を脱いで椅子にかけた。
He took off his cloak and hung it on the chair.
Means 'disguised as ~' or 'under the pretense of ~.' It implies blending in or using something as a cover.
彼は慈善活動に紛れて不正を行った。
He committed fraud under the cloak of charity.
Literally a 'straw raincoat of invisibility' from folklore, used figuratively to mean a cloak or cover for hiding one's true intentions. It's a colorful, somewhat literary expression.
その会社は慈善団体を隠れ蓑にして脱税していた。
The company used the charity as a cloak for tax evasion.