masquer

The French verb "masquer" means "to mask," "to hide," or "to conceal" something.

Meaning:

• To cover or hide something so that it is not visible or noticeable.
• To disguise or cover up certain information or a part of something.

Usage examples:

• Il a masqué son visage avec un chapeau. — He hid his face with a hat.
• Ils ont masqué les erreurs dans le rapport. — They concealed the errors in the report.

Synonyms and their differences:

1. Cacher:

   • Means "to hide" in a general sense.
   • Can be used for hiding objects, feelings, or information.
   • More neutral and common in everyday use.

2. Dissimuler:

   • Means "to conceal" or "to hide," often implying an intention to keep something secret or deceptive.
   • Suggests more deliberate or careful hiding than "cacher."

3. Masquer:

   • Often implies covering or masking something physically or figuratively; it can suggest hiding the true nature or appearance.
   • In digital or technical contexts, it can mean to make something not visible (e.g., "masquer une colonne dans Excel" — hide a column in Excel).

Summary:

• Use "masquer" when referring to covering or masking something, sometimes with the nuance of disguising appearance or making something invisible.
• "Cacher" is more general for hiding.
• "Dissimuler" emphasizes deliberate concealment, often with secretiveness.