German word

Zirkus

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsɪʁkʊs/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncircus

Example

Wir gehen am Samstag in den Zirkus.

We're going to the circus on Saturday.

Illustration for Zirkus (circus)

More examples

Am Samstag besuchten viele Familien eine Zirkusvorstellung.

On Saturday, many families attended a circus performance.

Core concept

A traveling troupe performs changing acts by acrobats, clowns, and sometimes animals in a circular arena.

Common phrases

  • in den Zirkus gehen

    go to the circus

  • Karten für den Zirkus kaufen

    buy tickets for the circus

  • eine Zirkusvorstellung besuchen

    attend a circus performance

Similar words

Show: A live entertainment performance featuring acting, singing, or other acts for an audience.
Spektakel: A flashy public event that draws major attention.
Jahrmarkt: A traveling fair with food stalls, rides, and sideshows.
Varieté: An indoor entertainment show combining short acts such as songs, tricks, and comedy.

Definition in German

Ein meist fahrendes Ensemble von Artistinnen, Artisten und Clowns, das in einer Arena verschiedene Nummern wie Akrobatik und Tierdressur vorführt.

Word origin

Zirkus is a German borrowing from Latin circus, meaning a ring or circular arena, which later became associated with this kind of performance.

Usage tips

  • Zirkus is masculine, with the plural form Zirkusse, so the standard forms are der Zirkus and die Zirkusse.

Related words

  • Zirkusdirektorcircus directornoun
  • Zirkusvorstellungcircus performancenoun
  • Zirkusartistcircus acrobatnoun

Word lists with this word