Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Clown in Spanish: Payaso
Payaso · noun (masculine) · pah-YAH-soh
The Spanish word for clown is 'payaso.' This term refers to a comedic performer who wears costumes and makeup, typically seen at circuses, parties, and festivals. In informal speech, 'payaso' can also be used to call someone a fool or someone who is acting ridiculously.
Say pah-YAH-soh, with three syllables and stress on the second. The 'y' sound comes from the letter 'y' between the first and second vowels.
El payaso hizo reír a todos los niños en la fiesta.
The clown made all the children laugh at the party.
Clown in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for clown, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| payaso | clown | pah-YAH-soh | Default, widely understood |
| bufón | clown | used for a jester or court fool |
How Native Speakers Use Payaso
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At a birthday party
Contratamos un payaso para la fiesta de cumpleaños de mi hija.
We hired a clown for my daughter's birthday party.
Planning children's entertainment.
At the circus
Los payasos del circo realizaron trucos increíbles.
The circus clowns performed incredible tricks.
Describing a circus show.
Informal insult
Deja de actuar como un payaso delante de tus compañeros.
Stop acting like a clown in front of your classmates.
Telling someone to stop fooling around.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Payaso
Feminine form confusion
Incorrect: Ella es un payaso muy graciosa.
Correct: Ella es una payasa muy graciosa.
When referring to a female clown, the noun changes to 'payasa' with the feminine ending '-a' and the corresponding article 'una.'
Using bufón for a modern clown
Incorrect: El bufón del circo usaba una nariz roja.
Correct: El payaso del circo usaba una nariz roja.
'Bufón' refers to a historical jester or court fool, not a modern circus or party clown. Use 'payaso' for contemporary clowns.
Lock in Clown Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Payaso used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using payaso in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El payaso hizo reír a todos los niños en la fiesta. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Clown in Spanish
- Can payaso be used as an insult?
- In informal Spanish, calling someone a 'payaso' implies they are acting foolishly or not being taken seriously, similar to calling someone a clown in English.
- What is the feminine form of payaso?
- The feminine form is 'payasa,' used when referring to a female clown, with the corresponding article 'la payasa' or 'una payasa.'
- What is the difference between payaso and bufón?
- 'Payaso' refers to a modern entertainer at circuses or parties, while 'bufón' specifically describes a historical court jester who amused royalty during medieval times.