Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| clown | /ˈkla.un/ | feminine, masculine |
| pagliaccio | /paʎˈʎat.t͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| pagliaccia | /paʎˈʎat.t͡ʃa/ | feminine |
The term refers to a performance artist working in a circus. While clown is used for the modern circus performer, pagliaccio is the traditional Italian word for a clown. Note that pagliaccio is also frequently used as a pejorative insult to call someone a fool or a buffoon, similar to how it is used in English.
Which one should you use?
clown is the term for the modern circus performer, whereas pagliaccio is the traditional Italian word. Additionally, pagliaccio carries a pejorative connotation of being a fool or a buffoon.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a loanword from English, clown is invariable in the plural and does not take an 's' to indicate more than one person. To indicate plurality when using clown, you change the article instead of the word itself, such as in i clown.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkla.un/ (two syllables, stress on the first syllable)
Did you know?
- The word pagliaccio comes from paglia, meaning 'straw'. This is because early circus costumes were made from the same coarse fabric used to cover straw mattresses.
- In Italian opera, Pagliacci is a world-famous tragedy by Leoncavallo. It tells the story of a clown who must make people laugh while his own heart is breaking.
- The suffix -accio in pagliaccio is typically used in Italian to create a derogatory or 'ugly' version of a word. This linguistic trait reinforces the word's use as an insult.
Examples in context
- Il clown è caduto apposta.The clown fell down on purpose.This sentence shows the use of clown to describe an intentional fall.Tatoeba #4967048 by Guybrush88, translation #49985 by CK
- Era pitturato come un clown.He was painted like a clown.This sentence demonstrates using clown to describe a painted appearance.Tatoeba #3407263 by Guybrush88, translation #3406678 by corvard
- Sami è il clown della famiglia.Sami is the clown of the family.This sentence shows how to identify someone as the clown of a group.Tatoeba #6391009 by Guybrush88, translation #6386238 by OsoHombre
- Il pagliaccio ha fatto ridere tutti i bambini al circo.The clown made all the children laugh at the circus.
- Il circo ha spettacoli fantastici con pagliacci divertenti!The circus has fantastic shows with funny clowns!
- Come si chiama il pagliaccio famoso del circo?What's the name of the famous clown at the circus?
- Mario è sempre un buffone, fa ridere tutti con le sue battute!Mario is always a clown, making everyone laugh with his jokes!
- Oggi mi sento un buffone, voglio fare scherzi a tutti!Today I feel like a clown, I want to play pranks on everyone!
- Quel ragazzo è sempre un buffone, non prende nulla sul serio!That boy is always a clown, he never takes anything seriously!
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are watching a circus show.
- MatteoGuarda quel clown, è davvero divertente!Look at that clown, he is really funny!
- MartinaSì, Matteo, ha un costume coloratissimo.Yes, Matteo, he has a very colorful costume.
- MatteoCredi che sia un clown professionista?Do you think he is a professional clown?
- MartinaSicuramente, Martina lo pensa anche lei.Surely, Martina thinks so too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clown” translations and entries clown, pagliaccio, pagliaccia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clown, pagliaccia, pagliaccio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
