Translation guide
The English word 'veil' can refer to a physical covering for the face or head, or metaphorically to something that hides or obscures. This guide covers both literal and figurative uses, with natural Japanese equivalents.
A piece of cloth worn over the face or head, often for religious, bridal, or fashion purposes.
The most common and direct loanword for a physical veil, especially bridal or fashion veils.
花嫁は白いベールをかぶっていた。
The bride was wearing a white veil.
Alternative spelling of ベール, sometimes used for a more elegant or foreign feel. Less common in everyday writing.
彼女はヴェールを顔にかけた。
She put a veil over her face.
A more formal or literary term for a face veil. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
修道女は面紗をまとっていた。
The nun wore a veil.
A metaphorical covering that conceals truth, reality, or emotions.
The loanword ベール is also used metaphorically, just like in English. It works for 'veil of secrecy', 'veil of ignorance', etc.
事件の真相はベールに包まれている。
The truth of the incident is shrouded in a veil.
彼の過去は謎のベールに隠されている。
His past is hidden behind a veil of mystery.
A native Japanese word meaning 'covering' or 'veil'. Can be used metaphorically, but is less common than ベール for abstract concepts.
A literary term for 'curtain' or 'veil', often used in poetic or dramatic contexts. '夜の帳' (curtain of night) is a set phrase.
The action of covering with or as if with a veil.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to cover with a veil'. Can be literal or figurative.
彼女は顔をベールで覆った。
She veiled her face.
General verb for 'to hide' or 'conceal'. Often used when 'veil' means to obscure or keep secret.
彼は感情を隠した。
He veiled his emotions.
Compound verb meaning 'to cover up and hide'. Stronger nuance of concealment.
ベール is the most versatile and commonly understood word for both physical and metaphorical veils. 覆い is a general covering and can sound more physical. 帳 is highly literary and used mainly in set phrases like 夜の帳.
While ヴェール is understood, ベール is the standard katakana spelling. Using ヴェール may come across as trying too hard to sound foreign or elegant.
The darkness of night veiled everything.
The veil of night falls.
雲が山頂を覆い隠した。
Clouds veiled the mountain top.