Translation guide
How to express the idea of disguising yourself as someone or something else in Japanese.
To change your appearance to look like a particular person, often for a specific purpose.
The most common and neutral way to say 'disguise oneself as'. Used for costumes, impersonation, or undercover work.
彼は警察官に変装して、建物に潜入した。
He disguised himself as a police officer and infiltrated the building.
The criminal disguised himself as a doctor and escaped.
Often used for theatrical or costume play, or when someone takes on the role/appearance of a character. Slightly more literary or dramatic.
彼女は魔女に扮してパーティーに現れた。
She disguised herself as a witch and showed up at the party.
Implies impersonation with intent to deceive, often used for online impersonation or fraud.
彼は有名人になりすましてSNSで詐欺を働いた。
He disguised himself as a celebrity and committed fraud on social media.
To change your appearance to look like a different gender, age, or social role without impersonating a specific individual.
Works for general types as well. Just use the noun for the type.
彼は女性に変装して国境を越えた。
He disguised himself as a woman and crossed the border.
Literally 'take the form of'. Used in stories or fantasy contexts, like transforming into an animal or mythical being.
キツネは美しい娘の姿になって現れた。
The fox disguised itself as a beautiful girl and appeared.
To put on a costume, mask, or makeup to hide your identity, often for fun or anonymity.
Specifically means dressing up in a costume, like for Halloween or a masquerade. Not necessarily to impersonate someone specific.
ハロウィンで吸血鬼に仮装した。
I disguised myself as a vampire for Halloween.
Can also be used for general disguise, including costumes, but 仮装 is more specific to festive costumes.
彼はサンタクロースに変装して子供たちを驚かせた。
He disguised himself as Santa Claus and surprised the children.
To change your voice, way of speaking, or behavior to avoid being recognized.
Literally 'change one's voice'. The most direct way to say you are disguising your voice.
彼は電話で声を変えて話した。
He disguised his voice on the phone.
Refers to changing your tone or manner of speaking, not just pitch.
彼女は口調を変えて、別人のように振る舞った。
She disguised her manner of speaking and acted like a different person.
変装 (へんそう) is general disguise to hide identity. 仮装 (かそう) is festive costume, like Halloween. 扮装 (ふんそう) is theatrical makeup/costume for a role. For 'disguise oneself as', 変装 is the safest choice.
偽装 (ぎそう) means 'camouflage' or 'falsification', often used for objects, documents, or military deception. It is not used for a person disguising themselves as someone else.