Spanish Word of the Day: Disfraz (costume / disguise)

If there’s a word that comes to mind when thinking about Halloween, it is disfraz. This word comes from the late Latin term disfrazare, a compound of the prefix dis- (which denotes a negation or separation) and fraceare, from fraces meaning rags or clothing. Essentially, the idea of disfraz was to alter or hide one’s appearance, often by wearing different or unusual clothing. It entered the Spanish lexicon during the Middle Ages and evolved into its modern form, meaning a costume or disguise.

In Spanish-speaking cultures, the word disfraz holds a significant place, frequently associated with costumes, festivities, and celebrations like Carnaval. Disfraz is a masculine noun and takes the following definite and indefinite articles:

• el disfraz = the costume
• un disfraz = a costume
• los disfraces = the costume
• unos disfraces = some costume

The verb form of disfraz is disfrazarse (to dress up or disguise oneself). It’s a reflexive verb, indicating that the subject does the action to themselves. The verb is commonly used when referring to wearing costumes, but it can also be used more broadly to describe someone hiding their true identity or appearance. 

As I mentioned before, disfrazarse is a reflexive verb, so when it’s conjugated it needs the reflexive pronouns: me, te, se, nos, os, se. For example, yo me disfrazo means I dress up, while tú te disfrazas means you dress up. The reflexive pronoun changes depending on the subject, but the verb conjugates in the usual -ar pattern.

In Spain and many Latin American countries, wearing a disfraz is an essential part of Carnaval (Carnival), a festive season before Cuaresma (Lent). People wear elaborate disfraces and máscaras (masks), often parading through the streets, celebrating with music and dancing. These costumes allow for temporary role reversals, offering freedom to express hidden desires or identities.

Fun Fact:

The Carnaval de Barranquilla in Colombia is one of the largest and most famous, recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. In Spain, the Carnaval de Cádiz stands out for its humorous parades and satirical performances, while in the Canary Islands, the streets are filled with colourful and fantastical parades. Each carnival has its own unique style, but all share a spirit of celebración (celebration) and disfraces.

Halloween or Víspera de Todos los Santos  (All Saints’ Eve or the night before All Saints’ Day) is also popular in Spanish-speaking countries. The tradition of wearing disfraces on Halloween dates back to ancient Celtic festivals, particularly Samhain, celebrated over 2,000 years ago. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, and spirits could roam the earth. To ward off or confuse these spirits, people would wear disfraces—often made of animal skins or simple masks—believing that the costumes would protect them from harm or help them blend in with supernatural beings.

When Christianity spread, Halloween merged with Víspera de Todos los Santos, and many of the older pagan traditions remained, including disfrazarse (dressing up). The tradition of celebrating Halloween in Spanish-speaking countries is relatively recent and largely influenced by the globalisation of American culture through movies, TV shows, and commercial activities. 

Historically, Halloween as it’s known today wasn’t widely celebrated in these countries. Instead, many Spanish-speaking regions have deep-rooted traditions tied to the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) or Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day), both of which focus on honouring and remembering the dead rather than dressing up in costumes. However, in the late 20th century, Halloween began to gain popularity, particularly in urban areas and among younger generations, as a fun, secular event focused on disfraces, fiestas (parties), and dulce / truco o trato (candy / trick-or-treating).

Expressions and idioms involving ‘disfraz’

There are a few expressions in Spanish that incorporate disfraz or the concept of disguising, often used to describe someone who hides their true identity or feelings.