bufón
/buˈfon/
The Spanish word for jester is bufón.
The term bufón refers to a person who jests. In a figurative sense, bufón can be used to describe someone who acts like a fool or a clown to mock others.
Meaning: one who jests (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of bufón, use bufones to refer to multiple jesters.
How do you pronounce it?
/buˈfon/
Did you know?
- Beyond just being a fool, calling someone a bufón in modern Spanish can be a harsh insult implying they are a mindless puppet for someone in power.
- The word bufón is onomatopoeic, meaning it was created to mimic the sound of a puff of air or a blowing noise.
- In Spanish, the distinction between a royal bufón and a circus payaso marks the difference between a social critic and a performance entertainer.
Examples in context
- El príncipe y el bufón tenían mucho en común.The prince and the jester had a lot in common.This sentence illustrates the relationship between a prince and a bufón.Tatoeba #1205685 by marcelostockle, translation #1205686 by CM
- Mi primer acto como senador será designarte como bufón oficial.My first deed as Senator is designating you as the official jester.This sentence shows a person being designated as an official bufón.Tatoeba #1205680 by marcelostockle, translation #1205681 by marcelostockle
- Él era un bufón sin más facetas. Sin aflicciones, solo un bufón.He was a jester, and nothing more. He felt no pain, he was a jester, and nothing more.This sentence describes a person who is solely a bufón.Tatoeba #1123623 by marcelostockle, translation #1126399 by AlanF_US
- El papel del bromista en la corte medieval era alegrar a los nobles con sus ocurrenciasThe role of the jester in the medieval court was to bring joy to the nobles with their antics
- El bufón sorprendió al público con su habilidad para hacer reír a todosThe jester amazed the audience with his ability to make everyone laugh
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a historical play they saw.
- LucíaEl bufón de la obra era muy divertido.The jester in the play was very funny.
- MateoSí, me gustó mucho su actuación.Yes, I liked his performance a lot.
- Lucía¿Crees que el bufón era inteligente?Do you think the jester was intelligent?
- MateoDefinitivamente, usaba mucho la ironía.Definitely, he used a lot of irony.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bufón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bufón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
