circo
/ˈt͡ʃir.ko/masculine
The English phrase 'circus' is translated into Italian as circo.
The word circo refers to a company that travels. Within this context, you might encounter related terms for performers such as an acrobata (acrobat), a giocoliere (juggler) or a trapezista (trapeze artist).
Meaning: company that travels (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
circo is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃir.ko/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While circo describes the show, the phrase fare il circo is used idiomatically to describe someone who is making a scene or behaving in a chaotic way.
- In Italian, the word circo can refer to a physical circular building or a specific street layout, such as the Circo Massimo in Rome.
- The word circo is a direct descendant of the Latin circus, which originally referred to a track or a circle for chariot racing.
Examples in context
- Il circo è finito.The circus ended.This sentence shows how to express that the circus has come to an end.Tatoeba #8999359 by Guybrush88, translation #8999342 by Nylez
- La vita è un circo.Life is a circus.This sentence uses the word metaphorically to describe life.Tatoeba #2672088 by Guybrush88, translation #2672076 by _undertoad
- Andò al circo con lei.He went to the circus with her.This sentence describes the act of going to the circus with someone.Tatoeba #8901288 by Guybrush88, translation #8531700 by CH
- Il circo arriverà in città domaniThe circus will arrive in town tomorrow.
- Lo spettacolo circense era incredibileThe circus show was amazing.
- Mi piacerebbe vedere un circo itinerante un giornoI would love to see a traveling circus someday.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are talking about their weekend plans.
- AlessandroHai visto che il circo è in città?Did you see that the circus is in town?
- SofiaSì, vorrei andarci sabato sera.Yes, I would like to go there Saturday night.
- AlessandroAndiamo insieme al circo allora!Let's go to the circus together then!
- SofiaOttima idea, compro i biglietti ora.Great idea, I'll buy the tickets now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “circus” translations and entries circo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries circo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
