Spanish Word of the Day: Payaso (clown)

Payasos, known as clowns in English, are lively characters who bring joy and laughter to audiences everywhere. These playful performers captivate both children and adults with their fun antics and vibrant, colourful costumes. Interestingly, not everyone shares the same love for them—some people are actually quite frightened by payasos, but we’ll get into that later!

The Spanish word payaso comes from the Latin word pāgīnus, meaning peasant or countryman. In historical contexts, a payaso was seen as a simple person associated with a rural and rustic life. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent a foolish person, or someone with a comical personality.

Payaso is a masculine noun that takes the following definite and indefinite articles: 

• el payaso = the clown
• los payasos = the clowns
• un payaso = a clown
• unos payasos = some clowns

Payaso also functions as an adjective that’s used figuratively to describe a person who is acting foolish, either in a negative or positive sense. It can also be used in its feminine form, la payasa, both as an adjective and a noun when describing a female clown or a female who acts like a clown.

As mentioned earlier, a payaso is a character beloved by many, but also one that many people temen (fear). As a beloved figure, clowns make people, especially children, laugh with their silly antics, like exaggerated physical movements. They perform payasadas (antics) such as juggling to showcase their skills and trucos de magia (magic tricks) to amaze their audiencia (audience).

When invited to birthday parties, payasos tend to incorporate music into their performances by singing and dancing to add to the entertainment. Some are skilled in pintura de la cara (face painting) and will draw interesting characters on children’s faces. Others do globoflexia (balloon twisting) by creating animals and shapes with them to bring joy to children.

Some clowns are great at contar cuentos (storytelling) and often use disfraces (costumes) and accesorios (props) to tell a funny story. They learn skits and comedic sketches to share with the audience. Others tell stories through mimos y gestos (mimes and gestures) by using facial expressions without words to convey emotions to their audience. 

Through their storytelling or performances, payasos often encourage their audience to participate by involving them in their actos (acts). Other times, they will use trained animals to add a layer of excitement to their espectáculos (shows). 

What makes payasos interesting is their elaborate disfraces (costumes) and maquillaje (makeup) that add to their humor. Payasos wear bright and colourful clothing that mismatches and gives off a joyful and vibrant vibe. Many use baggy pants, suspenders, bow ties, neck ruffles, and oversized shoes to enhance the efecto cómico (comedic effect). It’s common to see them in vests or striped, polka-dotted, or patterned shirts. 

What payasos are also known for is their face maquillaje (make up). Usually, they paint their face white and add colourful designs such as estrellas (stars) and corazones (hearts). They often exaggerate certain facial features such as colorful eyebrows, large red lips, and red cheeks. 

Some accesorios (props) they use are colorful pelucas (wigs) and funny sombreros (hats). Others wear a classic plastic red nose that squeaks when squeezed. Some payasos carry squeaky toys to use for their acts while others carry muñecos (puppets) to perform as ventrílocuos (ventriloquists).

Payasos may be seen dressed up traditionally with specific colours and patterns and other are theme-based, meaning they dress according to the specific event they perform at.

Besides birthday parties, some places they perform are circos (circuses), either as a main stage act or in a circus parade. You may see them at teatros (theaters), festivales (festivals), and ferias (fairs) where they engage in street performances or community events. Sometimes clowns are seen at hospitals to bring joy and laughter to patients, especially children. 

Payasos may be hired for community or holiday desfiles (parades), business events, special events such as weddings, to entertain at schools, or to perform in shows and movies. 

Now that we’ve mentioned películas (movies), let’s explore why some people are afraid of clowns. Coulrofobia (coulrophobia), the fear of clowns, can arise from a variety of factors. Movies have greatly influenced this miedo (fear), but other elements, such as the clowns’ unpredictable behaviour and exaggerated features, can also be frightening to both adults and children. The fact that you can’t see who’s behind the makeup adds to the unease for some people as well.

Culturally, payasos have been represented and portrayed not only as joyful characters but also as figuras malvadas y amenazantes (evil and menacing figures). Movies and películas de terror (horror films), such as the famous movie “It”, have contributed to the fear acquired by many people towards payasos. Kids who had a negative childhood experience with clowns also grow up with coulrophobia.

There are many famous payasos known in pop culture. Let’s look at a few fictional and real characters.

• Pennywise (Pennywise) = This fictional character originated in the United States in a Stephen King’s horror film called It. Pennywise left a long-lasting impact on culture that embodies fear associated with clowns.
• El Guasón (The Joker) = This fictional character is one of the most iconic comic book villains and one of the most famous figures in pop culture. He is Batman’s arch-nemesis and is characterised by his clown-like appearance. He embodies dark humour, madness, chaos, and theatrical schemes. Another name translation is “El Bromista.”
• Arlequín (Harlequin) = This clown originated in Italy as a fictional character known for his distinctive checkered costume. This classic clown is also known for his witty and playful nature. 
• Bozo el Payaso (Bozo the Clown) = This fictional clown became popular through television shows in the 1940s and 50s in the United States. It was known for being playful and goofy. 
• Ronaldo Mcdonald (Ronald McDonald) = Ronald McDonald is the popular mascot for the fast food restaurant, McDonald’s. He embodies a fun and friendly image. 
• Fofó = Fofó originated in Spain as part of a clown trio in the Children’s television show called “Los Payasos de la Tele.” He was known for his humorous antics and songs. 
• Cepillín = This friendly clown and entertainer was nicknamed “El payaso de los ninos” (clown of the children). He was a famous Mexican personality who engaged in performances, shows, and songs with his colourful outfits.

When using the word figuratively, it describes a person who is acting foolish, being funny, or not taking things seriously. It can also refer to someone who is dumb or stupid.

Fun Fact:

In Latin American pop culture, using the payaso emoji 🤡 has become a popular way to indicate that a person feels like a tonto (fool). It’s common to use it when you fall for something and you were left looking like a clown. The phrase Quedé como payasa translates to I was left looking stupid.

Spanish idioms featuring ‘payaso’