payaso
/paˈʝaso/masculine
In Spanish, the word for clown is payaso. Wiktionary also lists clown and clon.
Meaning: performance artist working in a circus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| payaso | /paˈʝaso/ | masculine |
| clown | /ˈklaun/ /ˈklon/ |
masculine |
| clon | /ˈklon/ | masculine |
A payaso refers to a performance artist working in a circus. payaso is the most common and widely understood word for clown in Spanish.
Which one should you use?
The word clown is also used in Spanish as a masculine noun. You should not confuse the word payaso with clon, which means 'clone'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is payaso. If you are referring to a female clown, use the feminine form payasa. For multiple clowns, the masculine plural form is payasos.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈʝaso/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use clon when you mean to say clown, as clon means 'clone'.
Did you know?
- The word payaso actually shares its roots with the English word 'pallet', as both come from a Latin word for 'chaff' or 'straw'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a payaso is a common insult meaning they are acting foolish, ridiculous or are not to be taken seriously.
- The phrase no me vengas con payasadas is a common idiom used to tell someone to stop lying or stop playing games.
Examples in context
- El payaso volvió al circo.The clown went back to the circus.This sentence shows the use of payaso to describe someone returning to the circus.Tatoeba #1843888 by hayastan, translation #10836758 by Lebensfreude
- Todos estaban vestidos de payaso.Everyone was dressed like a clown.This sentence illustrates how to say someone is dressed as a payaso.Tatoeba #881366 by Shishir, translation #9741278 by DJ_Saidez
- El payaso hizo una mueca graciosa.The clown made a funny face.This sentence shows a payaso performing a funny face.Tatoeba #986123 by leoruilova, translation #280440 by CK
- El payaso animó a todos los niños durante el espectáculo.The clown cheered up all the children during the show.
- ¡Mira ese payasete! Siempre hace reír a todo el mundo.Look at that clown! He always makes everyone laugh.
- El payaso triste conmovió a todos con su actuación cargada de sentimiento.The sad clown moved everyone with his emotionally charged performance.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are watching a circus performance.
- AlejandroEse payaso es muy divertido.That clown is very funny.
- ElenaSí, me gusta mucho su maquillaje.Yes, I really like his makeup.
- AlejandroÉl es el payaso más famoso del circo.He is the most famous clown in the circus.
- ElenaEs verdad, Alejandro.It is true, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clown” translations and entries payaso, clown, clon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clon, clown, payaso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
