payaso
/paˈʝaso/
The English phrase 'goofball' translates to Spanish as payaso.
payaso is used to describe a foolish or silly person. While the word can refer to a literal circus clown, it is frequently used colloquially to describe someone acting silly or foolish.
Meaning: a foolish or silly person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word payaso literally means 'clown'.
Which one should you use?
Depending on tone, payaso can range from a playful way to call someone a goofball to a more insulting way to call someone a joke or a fool.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number. Use payasa for a feminine goofball, payasos for masculine plural goofballs and payasas for feminine plural goofballs.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈʝaso/
Did you know?
- The word payaso shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pallet'. Both originate from the Latin word palea meaning 'chaff' or 'straw'.
- In certain slang contexts in Mexico, calling someone a payaso can imply they are being 'fake' or 'performative' rather than just silly.
- While payaso refers to a clown, Spanish uses the word bufón for a historical court jester, a role that carried much more political power than a modern 'goofball'.
Examples in context
- ¡Eres un verdadero bufón! Siempre alegras nuestros díasYou are a true jester! You always brighten our days
- Su sentido del humor lo convierte en un auténtico bufónHis/Her sense of humor makes him/her a genuine goofball
- Deja de actuar como un tontínStop acting like a goofball
- Siempre estás haciendo payasadasYou're always clowning around
- Es un payaso nato, siempre nos hace reírHe/She is a natural clown, always making us laugh
- No seas un payaso.Don't be a goofball.
- Ese payaso siempre hace bromas.That goofball is always making jokes.
- Es un payaso muy divertido.He is a very funny goofball.
Example conversation
Two friends are hanging out at a cafe.
- Alejandro¡Mira a ese payaso!Look at that goofball!
- LucíaEs un payaso muy gracioso.He is a very funny goofball.
- AlejandroMe hace reír mucho.He makes me laugh a lot.
- LucíaSí, es muy divertido.Yes, he is very funny.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry payaso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries payaso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
