payaso
/pah-YAH-soh/
clown
A payaso (clown) is often the star of the circus!
📝 In Action
El payaso hizo reír a todos los niños en la fiesta.
A1The clown made all the children laugh at the party.
Su disfraz de payaso tenía una nariz roja muy grande.
A2His clown costume had a very large red nose.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Plural
Since 'payaso' ends in -o, it is masculine. To talk about a female clown, use 'payasa'. The plural is formed by adding -s: 'los payasos'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Related Verb
The action of clowning or fooling around is often described with the verb 'hacer el payaso' (to act the clown).
The word payaso can also be used to describe someone acting like a joker or a silly person.
payaso(noun)
joker
?silly or foolish person
,idiot
?rude person (sometimes used as an insult)
clown
?when used metaphorically as an insult
📝 In Action
No seas payaso y compórtate seriamente.
B1Don't be a clown (a fool) and behave seriously.
Mi hermano es un payaso; siempre está haciendo chistes malos.
B2My brother is a joker; he's always telling bad jokes.
💡 Grammar Points
Acting as an Adjective
While technically a noun, 'payaso' is often used descriptively, just like an adjective: 'Eres un payaso' (You are a fool).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Payaso' vs. 'Tonto'
Mistake: "Using 'payaso' for someone who is genuinely unintelligent."
Correction: 'Payaso' usually implies deliberate silliness or foolish behavior. If someone lacks intelligence, 'tonto' or 'estúpido' are more appropriate, though harsher.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone Matters
This word can range from playful teasing (among friends) to a moderate insult, depending on your tone and the context.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: payaso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'payaso' in its informal, insulting sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'clown around' as a verb?
The most common way is the idiomatic phrase 'hacer el payaso.' For example: 'Los niños estaban haciendo el payaso en el recreo' (The kids were clowning around during recess).
Is 'payaso' always an insult?
No. When referring to the circus performer, it is neutral ('el payaso'). It only becomes an insult or playful teasing when used metaphorically to describe a person's silly or annoying behavior ('¡Eres un payaso!').