Use of "déguisé"

FrankC1Kwiziq community member

Use of "déguisé"

I don't understand why "déguise"  is used in the translation of "Grandma always wanted us to be dressed up for the occasion". The suggested answer given is "Mamie voulait toujours qu'on soit déguisés pour l'occasion". All the references I look at imply "make unrecognizable/camouflage", so I'm wondering why "déguisé"  is preferred to something like "habillé" in this context? Is it an idiomatic expression?

Asked 2 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Frank, 

The two options given for to be dressed up is être déguisé or être costumé.

Mamie voulait toujours qu'on soit déguisés /costumés = Grandma always wanted us to be dressed up

You cannot use 'être habillé ' which just means to be dressed rather than undressed if you see what I mean!

MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The clue to the vocabulary is "to be dressed up (costume)" - this falls within the meaning of (se) déguiser - to dress up (in costume ie 'disguise') for a celebration/fête; and yes, it is regularly used in this context.

https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais-anglais/d%c3%a9guiser/22834

https://www.wordreference.com/fren/d%C3%A9guiser

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-french/dress-up

Use of "déguisé"

I don't understand why "déguise"  is used in the translation of "Grandma always wanted us to be dressed up for the occasion". The suggested answer given is "Mamie voulait toujours qu'on soit déguisés pour l'occasion". All the references I look at imply "make unrecognizable/camouflage", so I'm wondering why "déguisé"  is preferred to something like "habillé" in this context? Is it an idiomatic expression?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!