Piero (Pierrot)

Both

English

Japanese

Today I would like to talk about the word “piero.”

今日は「ピエロ」について話します。

“Piero” means a performer who puts on lots of makeup and entertains people by his funny looks and actions.

ピエロとは、サーカスなどで派手なメイクをし、滑稽な恰好や動作で人々を楽しませる者を指します。

There is the Japanese word “doukeshi,” which has the same meaning of “piero,” but “piero” is more commonly used.

日本語には「道化師」という言葉がありますが、「ピエロ」のほうが一般的に使用されます。

The word “piero” was derived from the French word “pierrot,” which is a nickname of a role in a comedy show.

「ピエロ」は、フランス語の “pierrot” （ある劇の役名の愛称）から来ております。

Actually, “piero” that is referred to in Japan is equivalent to “clown” for other countries, including France.

実は、日本人が言う「ピエロ」は、フランスを含め他の国では「クラウン」と呼びます。

I heard that Japanese called “clown” “piero” by mistake, and it has become widespread.

日本人が「クラウン」を間違えて「ピエロ」と呼び、それが浸透してしまっているようです。