bouffon
/bu.fɔ̃/
The French word for bozo is bouffon.
bouffon is a slang term used to describe a stupid or foolish person.
Meaning: (slang) a stupid or foolish person (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bouffon is used for a bozo, you might also use the informal term crétin to mean a moron or numbskull.
How do you pronounce it?
/bu.fɔ̃/
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, bouffon can describe something that is 'puffy' or 'inflated', such as a hairstyle or a cloud.
- Historically, a bouffon was not just a foolish person but a professional court jester who was often the only person allowed to criticize the king without being punished.
- French has a distinct word, guignol, which specifically refers to a puppet-style fool and is often used to describe someone who is a joke to others.
Examples in context
- Il est vraiment idiot, ce mec !He's such an idiot!
- N'écoute pas cet imbécile.Don't listen to that bozo.
- Tu es vraiment un bouffon, mon ami !You're such a bozo, my friend!
- Arrête de faire ça, crétin !Stop doing that, you bozo!
- Ce mec est un vrai bouffon.This guy is a real clown.
- Ne fais pas le bouffon devant tout le monde.Don't act like a fool in front of everyone.
- Il a l'air d'un bouffon avec ce chapeau.He looks like a fool with that hat.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are watching a silly person in a park.
- ChloéRegarde ce type, quel bouffon !Look at that guy, what a fool!
- NathanC'est vrai, il est ridicule.It's true, he is ridiculous.
- ChloéIl essaie d'attirer l'attention de tout le monde.He is trying to attract everyone's attention.
- NathanIl se donne vraiment en spectacle.He is really making a scene.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bouffon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
