1.
clown; pierrot
A clown or comic entertainer, especially one with a white-painted face. Also used figuratively to mean someone who is made a fool of or plays a ridiculous role.
ピエロ comes from French "Pierrot." In Japanese, it is used both literally for circus clowns and figuratively for someone who is made a fool of or plays a ridiculous role unwittingly.
Common expressions
- ピエロ役: the clown role; the fool's role
- ピエロになる: to end up looking like a fool
- ピエロを演じる: to play the clown/fool
Usage
The figurative sense is very common. When someone is manipulated or deceived into an embarrassing situation, they may say まるでピエロだ (I'm like a clown). This carries a sense of being mocked or humiliated without realizing it.