小丑
xiǎochǒu
The Chinese word for clown is 小丑 (xiǎochǒu).
小丑 can be used literally to describe a performance artist working in a circus. Similar to English, it can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is acting in a foolish or ridiculous manner.
Meaning: performance artist working in a circus (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎochǒu
Did you know?
- The character 丑 within 小丑 is also a Chinese zodiac sign representing the 'Ox', but it functions here as the word for 'ugly' or 'absurd'.
- Using the phrase 跳梁小丑 describes a 'clown jumping on a beam', which is a biting idiom for a person who makes a futile or insignificant attempt to show off their power.
- In the context of Chinese opera, the chou role is the only character allowed to speak in a colloquial dialect rather than the stylized, poetic language used by other roles.
Examples in context
- 他衣着像个绅士，言行举止却像个小丑。His dress is that of a gentleman, but his speech and behavior are those of a clown.This sentence shows how 小丑 can be used to describe someone's behavior in contrast to their appearance.Tatoeba #10695939 by GlossaMatik, translation #286863 by CM
- 小丑做了个鬼脸。The clown made a funny face.This sentence illustrates a literal action performed by a 小丑.Tatoeba #332854 by fucongcong, translation #280440 by CK
- 你真是个笨蛋小丑！You're such a silly clown!
- 那个饶舌歌手像个小丑一样搞笑。That rap singer is as funny as a clown.
- 马戏团里有一个滑稽的小丑。Mǎxìtuán lǐ yǒu yī gè huájī de xiǎochǒu.There is a funny clown in the circus.
Example conversation
At a local circus performance.
- 雨婷 Yuting那个小丑表演得真棒！Nàge xiǎochǒu biǎoyǎn de zhēn bàng!That clown's performance is really great!
- 伟 Wei是啊，雨婷，他很可爱。Shì a, Yǔtíng, tā hěn kě'ài.Yes, Yuting, he is very cute.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，你看他摔倒了。Wěi, nǐ kàn tā shuāidǎo le.Wei, look, he fell down.
- 伟 Wei哈哈，他逗得大家很开心。Hāhā, tā dòu de dàjiā hěn kāixīn.Haha, he makes everyone very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clown” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
