circus
Loading your saved state.
circus
A company with acrobats, clowns, and often animals that gives performances to entertain an audience, usually in a large tent.
Am Wochenende gehen wir mit den Kindern in den Zirkus.
At the weekend we're going to the circus with the children.
fuss
Colloquial term for a lot of unnecessary commotion, noise, or trouble.
Mach doch nicht so einen Zirkus wegen der kleinen Schramme am Auto!
Don't make such a fuss about the little scratch on the car!
You can recognize the colloquial meaning of 'Aufsehen' (commotion) or 'Ärger' (trouble) because it is often combined with verbs like 'machen' (to make) or 'veranstalten' (to put on/cause) and describes a negative situation. The literal meaning refers to a place or an event.
Die Kinder freuen sich schon auf den Zirkus in der Stadt.
The children are already looking forward to the circus in town.
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'in'. You go 'in den Zirkus' (to the circus; accusative, movement), but you are or work 'im Zirkus' (in the circus; dative, location).
Fahren wir am Sonntag in den Zirkus?
Shall we go to the circus on Sunday?
In the colloquial meaning, 'Zirkus' (fuss) is almost always used with the verbs 'machen' (to make), 'veranstalten' (to put on/cause), or 'aufführen' (to put on).
Wegen einer verlorenen E-Mail muss man nicht gleich so einen Zirkus veranstalten.
There's no need to make such a fuss over a lost email.
show
Show and Zirkus can both criticize conspicuous, exaggerated behavior. Show emphasizes a demonstrative display of oneself intended to attract attention. Zirkus refers more generally to unnecessary fuss, noise, or trouble, even without a consciously played role.
Wegen der kleinen Beschwerde machte er einen großen Zirkus und hielt den ganzen Laden auf.
He made a huge fuss over the minor complaint and held up the entire place.
Wegen der kleinen Beschwerde machte er eine große Show, damit alle ihn bemerkten.
He made a big show of the minor complaint so that everyone would notice him.
