How to Say "joker" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “joker” is “payaso” — B1 level.
English → SpanishB1
nounB1informal
silly or foolish person
Examples
No seas payaso y compórtate seriamente.
Don't be a clown (a fool) and behave seriously.
Mi hermano es un payaso; siempre está haciendo chistes malos.
My brother is a joker; he's always telling bad jokes.
Acting as an Adjective
While technically a noun, 'payaso' is often used descriptively, just like an adjective: 'Eres un payaso' (You are a fool).
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.
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.