おどけ者(もの)

Derived from the verb おどける (to clown around, to act silly) plus 者(もの) (person). The nuance is generally affectionate or light — describing someone who is naturally funny and entertaining rather than someone being disruptive.

Common collocations

• おどけ者(もの)のように振(ふ)る舞(ま)う: to act like a clown
• クラスのおどけ者(もの): the class clown
• おどけ者(もの)を演(えん)じる: to play the role of the joker

Similar words

• ひょうきん者(もの): funny person; comedian — more colloquial and affectionate
• 道化師(どうけし): clown; jester — refers to a professional entertainer or performer role
• お調子者(ちょうしもの): person who gets carried away; show-off — can be more negative