1.
show-off, clown, person who gets carried away
A person who easily gets caught up in the mood and acts silly or boastful to entertain or impress others. Often used with a mix of affection and mild criticism.
あいつはお調子者だ。
That guy is such a clown.
彼はお調子者だから、すぐ調子に乗る。
He's a show-off, so he gets carried away easily.
クラスに一人はお調子者がいて、みんなを笑わせている。
There's always one class clown who makes everyone laugh.
お調子者 describes someone who easily gets carried away by the mood and acts silly, boastful, or exaggerated to entertain others. From 調子 (rhythm, condition) + 者 (person), with the polite prefix お.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- お調子者だ: is a show-off/clown
- お調子者のくせに: even though (you're) a clown
TONE:
Can be affectionate or critical depending on context. When said with a smile, it means "class clown" or "life of the party." When said with annoyance, it means someone who goes too far or cannot be taken seriously.
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 調子に乗る: to get carried away, to let success go to one's head
- 調子がいい: in good form; also "smooth-talking" (of people)
- ムードメーカー: mood maker, someone who energizes a group (more positive)