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payaso means clown — a common term in Mexican Slang. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 24, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

payaso

noun • /[pa-YA-so]/

clown

Example:

No seas payaso.

Don’t be a clown.

🧠 What does payaso mean?

While the primary meaning of 'payaso' is 'clown,' in Mexican slang, it can be used to describe someone foolish, ridiculous, or who is acting silly and making a spectacle of themselves. It implies a lack of seriousness or dignity, often in a negative or mocking way. This usage is distinct from the literal meaning of a circus performer.

📚 Extra examples

  • ¡Deja de hacer el payaso y ponte serio!
    Stop acting like a fool and get serious!
  • Se viste como payaso para llamar la atención.
    He dresses like a clown to get attention.
  • No seas payaso, eso no tiene gracia.
    Don't be ridiculous, that's not funny.

💡 Did You Know?

While 'payaso' is a direct translation for 'clown', its use as a term for someone foolish or acting ridiculously is particularly prevalent in Mexican Spanish and reflects a cultural nuance in how silliness or undignified behavior is described.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "payaso"

Synonyms: bufón, gracioso, ridículo
Opposites: serio, sensato, digno

🔍 See more mexican slang words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'clown' in Spanish?
The most common and direct translation for 'clown' is 'payaso'.
How do you pronounce 'payaso' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is pah-YAH-so. The 'll' sound is often pronounced like a 'y' in many regions of Latin America.
How do you use 'payaso' in a sentence?
In its literal sense, 'Él es un payaso muy talentoso' (He is a very talented clown). In its slang sense, 'No seas payaso' (Don't be a fool).
What is the English translation of 'payaso'?
The primary English translation of 'payaso' is 'clown'. However, in Mexican slang, it can also be translated as 'fool', 'jester', or someone acting ridiculously.
Does 'payaso' change for gender or number?
Yes, like most Spanish nouns, 'payaso' changes for gender and number. The feminine form is 'payasa', and the plural forms are 'payasos' (masculine or mixed group) and 'payasas' (feminine group).
Is 'payaso' common in everyday Spanish?
The literal meaning of 'clown' is understood everywhere. The slang usage, particularly in Mexico, is common in informal conversations among Mexicans, but may not be as widely recognized or used in all Spanish-speaking countries.
Does 'payaso' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, in Mexican slang, 'payaso' is used to describe someone acting foolishly or ridiculously, separate from its meaning as a circus performer.
Is 'payaso' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The literal meaning of 'clown' is consistent. The slang connotation of someone acting foolish is more prominent and specific to Mexico. In Spain, other words might be used to describe someone acting foolishly, such as 'tonto' or 'idiota', though 'payaso' might be understood contextually.

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