サーカス

さーかす
noun
circus
1. circus; circus performance
A traveling show featuring acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other performers, typically held in a large tent or arena.
サーカスを見(み)に行(い)った。
I went to see the circus.
子供(こども)たちはサーカスの空中(くうちゅう)ブランコに大興奮(だいこうふん)した。
The children were thrilled by the circus trapeze act.
毎年(まいとし)冬(ふゆ)になると、有名(ゆうめい)なサーカス団(だん)が町(まち)にやってきて、大(おお)きなテントで公演(こうえん)を行(おこな)う。
Every winter, a famous circus troupe comes to town and performs in a large tent.

A loanword from English "circus." Circus has been popular entertainment in Japan since the Meiji era, with domestic troupes like 木下大(きのしただい)サーカス being well known.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • サーカス団(だん): circus troupe
  • サーカスの公演(こうえん): circus performance
  • 空中(くうちゅう)ブランコ: trapeze
  • 曲芸(きょくげい): acrobatics
  • サーカス小屋(ごや): circus tent/big top

FIGURATIVE USE:
Sometimes used figuratively in phrases like 政治(せいじ)のサーカス (political circus) to describe chaotic or theatrical situations, similar to English usage.

general
Added 2026.3.31 2:17
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