This time in Language Day a word daily used and a product in high demand all over the world in 2020. The face mask. Or respirator.

Like the one in this picture that looks pretty home-made - and is prettier that many of the more official face masks that seemed to be sold out in so many pharmacies and other stores everywhere. The picture at the bottom of the page taken end of March tells that story (EI hengityssuojia is Finnish for NO face masks).

So in case you are travelling abroad - as some of us are - here is a list in a few languages of what you should ask for if you need to purchase the item. Fact is, the face masks may have become a regular thing for us Westerners as well so you might as well know the word in as many languages as you can.

andlitsgríma (Iceland)
ansigtsmaske (Danish)
ansiktsmask/andningsskydd (Swedish)
ansiktsmaske (Norwegian)
Gesichtsmaske/Atemschutzmaske (German)
facemask/respirator (English)
フェイスマスク (Japanese, feisumasuku)
kasvosuojain/hengityssuojain (Finnish)
máscara respiratória facial/respirador (Portuguese)
mascarilla (Spanish)
maschera viso (Italian)
маска для лица (Russian)
μάσκα προσώπου (Greek)
masque de protection (French)
面具 (miànjù, Chinese)
näomask (Estonian)

And finally, a concept widely used in media: PPE (personal protective equipment), meaning protective clothing, helmets, goggles and other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection.

A pharmacy in Helsinki, Finland advertising that there are NO Masks to buy

Updated 29.6.2020