Zirkus

German

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin circus.

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Zirkus m (genitive Zirkus or Zirkusses, plural Zirkusse)

1. (historical) circus (arena in Antiquity)
2. circus (kind of entertainment show)
3. (colloquial) exaggerated and annoying ado; airs; fuss, e.g. of a child, at an event, etc.; dog and pony show

   Mach keinen Zirkus und setz dich hin!

   (please add an English translation of this usage example)

4. (colloquial, by extension) something complicated and annoying; rigmarole; chore

   Das ist immer ein Zirkus, hier langzufahren, wenn Schalke spielt.

   It’s always a rigmarole driving around here when Schalke are playing.

Usage notes

• The genitive des Zirkusses is very rare.

Derived terms

• Flohzirkus
• Zirkusschule

Further reading

• “Zirkus” in Duden online