palhaço
/paˈʎa.su/masculine
The Portuguese word for clown is palhaço.
A palhaço is a performance artist, typically seen in a circus. Much like in English, the term can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is acting foolishly or making a fool of themselves.
Meaning: performance artist working in a circus (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, palhaço is frequently used to describe clowns.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a masculine noun. The feminine form, used to describe a female clown, is palhaça.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA is /paˈʎa.su/.
Did you know?
- The word palhaço is derived from palha, meaning 'straw'. This refers to the straw-filled costumes early performers wore to protect themselves during falls.
- Brazilian circus tradition distinguishes between the palhaço branco (white clown) and the Augusto who is the clumsy character.
- In a heated argument, calling someone a palhaço is a sharp way to dismiss them, effectively telling them they are a joke and not worth listening to.
Examples in context
- Sei que sou um palhaço.I know I'm a clown.This sentence uses palhaço to show a person acknowledging they are being a fool.Tatoeba #8904432 by Ricardo14, translation #10566513 by DJ_Saidez
- Parabéns! Você é um palhaço.Congratulations! You're a clown.This sentence uses palhaço in a congratulatory context.Tatoeba #11053627 by omniglotman, translation #2942451 by astyng
- O palhaço tem medo do escuro.The clown is afraid of the dark.This sentence uses palhaço to describe a clown's fear of the dark.Tatoeba #5508541 by Nicacioh20, translation #5508540 by Nicacioh20
- O palhaço fez todos rirem durante o espetáculo.The clown made everyone laugh during the show.
- O bufão da corte entreteve os convidados com suas habilidades cômicas.The court jester entertained the guests with his comedic skills.
- O palhaço estava tão engraçado no circo hoje!The clown was so funny at the circus today!
- Ele é um pateta, sempre nos faz rir com suas brincadeiras.He is a clown, he always makes us laugh with his jokes.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Juliana are watching a circus show.
- FelipeAquele palhaço é muito engraçado!That clown is very funny!
- JulianaSim, o palhaço faz muita gente rir.Yes, the clown makes many people laugh.
- FelipeVocê gosta do espetáculo do palhaço?Do you like the clown's show?
- JulianaEu adoro o trabalho desse palhaço!I love this clown's work!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clown” translations and entries palhaço, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries palhaço, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
