circus
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circus
An entertainment event, usually in a large tent, with performances by acrobats, clowns, and often animals as well. An alternative spelling of Zirkus.
Am Wochenende gehen wir mit den Kindern in den Circus, der in der Stadt gastiert.
At the weekend, we're going with the children to the circus that is performing in town.
fuss / circus
Colloquial and disparaging for a big mess, unnecessary effort, or chaotic behavior.
Wegen einer einfachen Frage musst du doch nicht so einen Circus veranstalten!
You don't have to make such a fuss over a simple question!
'Circus' with 'C' is an older, Latin spelling. The more common and recommended German spelling today is 'Zirkus' with 'Z'.
Der Zirkus Krone ist einer der bekanntesten in Europa.
Circus Krone is one of the best-known circuses in Europe.
The meaning 'Durcheinander' (mess) or 'Aufwand' (effort/fuss) is purely colloquial and is often used in a slightly disparaging or ironic way.
Mach doch nicht wegen jeder Kleinigkeit so einen Circus!
Don't make such a fuss over every little thing!
In the colloquial meaning, the word is almost always used in the fixed expression 'einen Circus machen' (to make a fuss) or 'einen Circus veranstalten' (to put on a big fuss).
Als das Internet ausfiel, hat mein Kollege einen riesigen Circus gemacht.
When the internet went down, my colleague made a huge fuss.
When the entertainment show is meant, typical phrases are 'in den Circus gehen' (to go to the circus), 'im Circus arbeiten' (to work in the circus), or 'der Circus gastiert in der Stadt' (the circus is performing in town).
Als Kind wollte ich immer im Circus als Clown auftreten.
As a child, I always wanted to perform as a clown in the circus.
theater
Both Theater and Circus can refer to unnecessary fuss or commotion. Theater tends to emphasize one person’s dramatic display, while Circus, used colloquially and disparagingly, focuses more on the whole mess or chaotic behavior.
Wegen des verlorenen Schlüssels entstand im ganzen Haus ein chaotischer Circus.
The lost key caused a chaotic circus throughout the entire house.
Wegen des verlorenen Schlüssels machte sie ein großes Theater.
She made a big fuss over the lost key.
