Crazy in Different Languages
Discover 'Crazy' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'crazy' is a small but powerful part of many languages, used to describe a state of mind or behavior that is unusual, unpredictable, or exciting. Its significance goes beyond mere semantics, as it often reflects cultural attitudes towards nonconformity, spontaneity, and even mental health.
Throughout history, the concept of 'crazy' has been explored in various ways. In ancient Greece, the god Dionysus was associated with madness and ecstasy, while in modern psychology, the term 'crazy' has been replaced with more clinical terms like 'psychosis' or 'mania'. Yet, the word persists in popular culture, reflecting our fascination with the unconventional and the unpredictable.
Understanding the translation of 'crazy' in different languages can offer unique insights into global perspectives on this intriguing concept. For instance, in Spanish, 'crazy' is 'loco', in French, it's 'fou', and in German, it's 'verrückt'. Each translation carries its own cultural nuances, adding depth to this seemingly simple word.
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the translations of 'crazy' in various languages, uncovering the fascinating ways different cultures view and express this intriguing concept.
Crazy
Crazy in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | gek | ||
| The Afrikaans word "gek" is thought to derive from Old Germanic *gaika-, and is cognate with English "cuckoo". | |||
| Amharic | እብድ | ||
| The word "እብድ" in Amharic also refers to a wooden stick used to extract honey from beehives. | |||
| Hausa | mahaukaci | ||
| The word "mahaukaci" in Hausa can also mean "excessively happy" or "mentally disturbed." | |||
| Igbo | onye ara | ||
| Some say the Igbo word « onye ara » (crazy person) comes from « onye ohi ura » (person who steals water), referring to the belief that crazy people are possessed by water spirits. | |||
| Malagasy | adala | ||
| The Malagasy word 'adala' also has a colloquial meaning of 'a bit off', or 'slightly strange'. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | wopenga | ||
| In Nyanja, the word "wopenga" has an alternate meaning of "very fast" or "very quickly." | |||
| Shona | kupenga | ||
| In Shona, "kupenga" also refers to a type of traditional fishing net used for catching small fish. | |||
| Somali | waali | ||
| The word "Waali" can also be used to describe something that's unexpected or unusual | |||
| Sesotho | hlanya | ||
| "Hlanya" can also mean "funny" or "exciting" in Sesotho. | |||
| Swahili | wazimu | ||
| "Wazimu" also refers to spirits, as in the saying "Wazimu wa mti" (spirits of the tree). | |||
| Xhosa | uphambene | ||
| The word uphambene may also refer to a person or thing that is abnormal, unusual, or unacceptable in some way. | |||
| Yoruba | aṣiwere | ||
| "Aṣiwere" also means "foolish" and "unreasonable". | |||
| Zulu | uyahlanya | ||
| Uyahlanya, meaning "crazy" in Zulu, has a hidden meaning: "one who walks in the night." | |||
| Bambara | fatɔ | ||
| Ewe | ku tsu | ||
| Kinyarwanda | umusazi | ||
| Lingala | ligboma | ||
| Luganda | okugwa eddalu | ||
| Sepedi | gafago | ||
| Twi (Akan) | dam | ||
Crazy in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | مجنون | ||
| The word "مجنون" is derived from the Arabic root "جن" (j-n-n), meaning "to hide" or "to conceal". | |||
| Hebrew | מְטוּרָף | ||
| The Hebrew word "מְטוּרָף" (metoraf) originates from the root טָרַף (taraf), meaning "to tear apart" or "to scatter". It signifies someone whose mind is disarrayed or in a state of confusion. | |||
| Pashto | لیونی | ||
| The word "لیونی" is derived from the Persian word "دیوانه" meaning "mad" or "insane". | |||
| Arabic | مجنون | ||
| The word "مجنون" is derived from the Arabic root "جن" (j-n-n), meaning "to hide" or "to conceal". | |||
Crazy in Western European Languages
| Albanian | i cmendur | ||
| "I cmendur" can also mean "madman" or "foolish," coming from the verb "cmendoj" meaning "to rage" or "to be mad." | |||
| Basque | eroa | ||
| The Basque word "eroa" can also mean "madness" or "folly". | |||
| Catalan | boig | ||
| "Boig" is a Catalan word with possible origins in the Latin words "vacuus" (empty) or "valde" (greatly). | |||
| Croatian | lud | ||
| The word "lud" in Croatian also means "people" and is related to the word "ljudski" which means "human". | |||
| Danish | helt vildt | ||
| The expression 'helt vildt' literally translates to 'completely wild' | |||
| Dutch | gek | ||
| The Dutch word "gek" is derived from the Old Dutch word "geck", which means "fool" or "clown". | |||
| English | crazy | ||
| The word 'crazy' originally meant 'full of cracks' or 'diseased,' and was first used in the 14th century. | |||
| French | fou | ||
| The word "fou" in French can also mean "jester" or "fool". | |||
| Frisian | gek | ||
| It is of uncertain origin, but may derive from a Proto-Germanic word meaning "to be crooked or awry." | |||
| Galician | tolo | ||
| In Galician, "tolo" can also mean "drunk." | |||
| German | verrückt | ||
| "Verrückt" comes from the Middle High German "verrucken", meaning "to move" or "to displace". | |||
| Icelandic | brjálaður | ||
| The word "brjálaður" is derived from the word "brjál" meaning "spectacles" and can also mean "bespectacled". | |||
| Irish | craiceáilte | ||
| craiceáilte, also meaning "pleasant" or "jovial," originates from the Irish word craic, meaning "good times" or "fun." | |||
| Italian | pazzo | ||
| The word "pazzo" is derived from the Latin "pati" (to suffer) and originally meant "one who is afflicted with suffering or madness" | |||
| Luxembourgish | verréckt | ||
| The word "verréckt" comes from the German "verrückt", which means "crazy", but it can also mean "stupid", "foolish", or "out of sorts". | |||
| Maltese | miġnun | ||
| The word "miġnun" can also mean "possessed by a demon" in Maltese. | |||
| Norwegian | gal | ||
| The Norwegian word "gal" is cognate with the English "gall", meaning "bile" or "bitterness", and can also refer to a yellow or green pigment. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | louco | ||
| "Louco" in Portuguese not only means "crazy", but can also mean "foolish" or "mad with rage". | |||
| Scots Gaelic | seòlta | ||
| Seòlta, meaning "crazy" in Scottish Gaelic, is cognate to the Irish word séolta and the Welsh word saethu, meaning "to throw". | |||
| Spanish | loca | ||
| "Loca" can also mean "mad," "insane" or, colloquially, "outrageous," "wild," or "extravagant." | |||
| Swedish | galen | ||
| The word 'galen' derives from the archaic verb 'gala' which means 'to make noise' and could thus originally be applied to anyone behaving boisterously. | |||
| Welsh | gwallgof | ||
| The Welsh word "gwallgof" originally meant "to wander astray" and can still hold this meaning in certain contexts. | |||
Crazy in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | шалёны | ||
| The Belarusian word "шалёны" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root "*shelьnъ" meaning "wild" or "mad". | |||
| Bosnian | luda | ||
| The word 'luda' also means 'fool' in Croatian and Serbo-Croatian. | |||
| Bulgarian | луд | ||
| The word "луд" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *ljutъ, meaning "fierce", "angry", or "wild". | |||
| Czech | šílený | ||
| The origin of the word "šílený" can be traced to the Slavic word "šil", which means "wild" or "unpredictable". | |||
| Estonian | pöörane | ||
| The archaic usage of the word “pöörane” meant dizziness and vertigo, and is related to the word “pööris” (whirl) which has similar archaic meanings. | |||
| Finnish | hullu | ||
| In Finnish, "hullu" can also mean "drunken" or "excited," deriving from "hullaus" ("revelry"). | |||
| Hungarian | őrült | ||
| The word "őrült" is derived from the Hungarian word "őr", meaning "guard" or "watchman". | |||
| Latvian | traks | ||
| The word "traks" can also refer to a person who is eccentric or unconventional, or to a situation that is unusual or unpredictable. | |||
| Lithuanian | pašėlęs | ||
| The word "pašėlęs" (crazy) derives from "šėlti" (to rage), and it can also refer to "overzealousness" or "recklessness." | |||
| Macedonian | луд | ||
| The word 'луд' can mean 'eccentric' or 'foolish' in Macedonian. | |||
| Polish | zwariowany | ||
| The Polish word "zwariowany" can also mean "dizzy" or "giddy". | |||
| Romanian | nebun | ||
| "Nebun" is thought to have come from either an old Slavic form of “unhappy man” or the Turkish "deli," meaning “brave warrior.” | |||
| Russian | псих | ||
| In Russian slang, "псих" can also refer to a person who is eccentric or unpredictable. | |||
| Serbian | луда | ||
| The word 'луда' comes from the Old Slavonic word 'ljutъ', meaning 'fierce' or 'mad'. | |||
| Slovak | šialený | ||
| "Šialený" comes from "šiadly", the old Slovak word for "saddle", and also means "saddle-like", referring to the idea that someone who is crazy is riding a horse without a rider. | |||
| Slovenian | noro | ||
| "Noro" is an informal expression with a connotation of endearment, similar to "loony" or "zany" in English. | |||
| Ukrainian | божевільний | ||
| The word "божевільний" can also refer to someone who is possessed by a deity or spirit, or to a type of mental illness believed to be caused by evil spirits. | |||
Crazy in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | পাগল | ||
| The word "পাগল" in Bengali can also refer to a type of folk song or a person who is foolish or eccentric. | |||
| Gujarati | પાગલ | ||
| The word "પાગલ" (crazy) in Gujarati may derive from the Sanskrit word "पागल" (pagal), meaning "crazed" or "insane". | |||
| Hindi | पागल | ||
| The word 'pagal' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'pragalbha' meaning boldness, confidence, and audacity. | |||
| Kannada | ಹುಚ್ಚು | ||
| The Kannada word 'ಹುಚ್ಚು' can also refer to 'madness', 'insanity', 'delirium', 'lunacy', 'mad dog' or 'rabies'. | |||
| Malayalam | ഭ്രാന്തൻ | ||
| The word "ഭ്രാന്തൻ" (crazy) is derived from the Sanskrit word "भ्रान्त" (confused), which is related to the English word "errant" (wandering). | |||
| Marathi | वेडा | ||
| The word "वेडा" is derived from the Sanskrit word "विद्या" (vidya), meaning "knowledge", suggesting that "crazy" behavior stems from a different perspective or understanding. | |||
| Nepali | पागल | ||
| The word "पागल" is derived from the Sanskrit word "पागल" meaning "mad" or "insane, | |||
| Punjabi | ਪਾਗਲ | ||
| The word "ਪਾਗਲ" is derived from the Persian word " pagal", which means "mad". | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | පිස්සු | ||
| The word 'පිස්සු' has an etymology related to 'disease' and is also used figuratively to mean 'angry' or 'irritated'. | |||
| Tamil | பைத்தியம் | ||
| The Tamil word "பைத்தியம்" derives from the Sanskrit word "पैत्तिक" (`paittika`), meaning ``pertaining to bile'', reflecting the ancient belief that mental disorders result from an imbalance of bodily humors. | |||
| Telugu | వెర్రి | ||
| In colloquial Telugu, the word "వెర్రి" can also be an affectionate term used by friends and family for loved ones. | |||
| Urdu | پاگل | ||
| The word "پاگل" (crazy) in Urdu shares its origin with the Sanskrit word "पागल" (fool) and has connotations of wildness and madness. | |||
Crazy in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 疯 | ||
| The word "疯" (crazy) is derived from the character "疒" (meaning "sick") and the character "风" (meaning "wind"), indicating that madness was once thought to be caused by an imbalance of the body's qi (vital energy) due to exposure to wind. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 瘋 | ||
| "瘋 (crazy)" in Chinese is composed of "疒 (sickness)" and "蜂 (bee)", indicating an agitated mental state like a swarm of bees. | |||
| Japanese | クレイジー | ||
| "クレイジー" is a loan word from English meaning 'crazy' or 'foolish', but it can also be used to describe something that is 'wonderful' or 'amazing'. | |||
| Korean | 미친 | ||
| The term "미친" can also refer to someone who is very angry or obsessed. | |||
| Mongolian | галзуу | ||
| "Галзуу" also literally means "having convulsions, being epileptic, or suffering from hysteria". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | အရူး | ||
| The word "အရူး" is also used to describe someone who is eccentric or unconventional. | |||
Crazy in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | gila | ||
| The word 'gila' also refers to a type of poisonous fish, the 'giant grouper', in Indonesian. | |||
| Javanese | edan | ||
| The word "edan" in Javanese, meaning "crazy," is derived from the ancient Javanese word "eda," which means "hot" or "fiery." | |||
| Khmer | ឆ្កួត | ||
| The word "ឆ្កួត" can also mean "to be angry" or "to be wild, untamed". | |||
| Lao | ບ້າ | ||
| ບ້າ also means "not good" or "useless". | |||
| Malay | gila | ||
| The word "gila" in Malay is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "grla," meaning "to swallow," or the Prakrit word "gilati," meaning "to become ecstatic or mad." | |||
| Thai | บ้า | ||
| “บ้า” evolved from “ว่า” (to speak), indicating irrational or nonsensical speech. | |||
| Vietnamese | khùng | ||
| The word "khùng" could also mean "eccentric". | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | baliw | ||
Crazy in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | dəli | ||
| The word "dəli" in Azerbaijani can also refer to a "brave" or "impetuous" person, highlighting the cultural perception of these traits as akin to madness. | |||
| Kazakh | жынды | ||
| The word "жынды" can also refer to a supernatural being in Kazakh mythology, similar to a demon or evil spirit. | |||
| Kyrgyz | жинди | ||
| The word "жинди" originally meant "energetic" and was used to describe lively horses. | |||
| Tajik | девона | ||
| The Tajik word "девона" can also be used to describe a reckless or careless person. | |||
| Turkmen | däli | ||
| Uzbek | aqldan ozgan | ||
| The word "aqldan ozgan" has roots in Arabic, where it literally translates to "beyond reason". However, it is commonly used to express the idea of "mad" or "crazy" in Uzbek. | |||
| Uyghur | ساراڭ | ||
Crazy in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | lōlō | ||
| Maori | haurangi | ||
| The Maori word "haurangi" also refers to a legendary creature known for its volatile nature and unpredictable behavior. | |||
| Samoan | valea | ||
| The word "valea" in Samoan is cognate with the Tongan word "valea", meaning "fainting" or "dizziness". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | baliw | ||
| "Baliw" can also refer to a naughty, mischievous person. | |||
Crazy in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | luqhi | ||
| Guarani | tavy | ||
Crazy in International Languages
| Esperanto | freneza | ||
| Esperanto does not have a single word for "crazy," but "freneza" can refer to a state of extreme excitement or agitation. | |||
| Latin | insanis | ||
| Insanis in Latin can also mean 'violent' or 'frenzied', and is related to the word 'insanity'. | |||
Crazy in Others Languages
| Greek | τρελός | ||
| The word 'τρελός' can also refer to a person who is mischievous or eccentric. | |||
| Hmong | vwm | ||
| The word "vwm" can also refer to a type of spirit or demon.} | |||
| Kurdish | dîn | ||
| The word "dîn" in Kurdish also means "wild" or "furious" in the context of animals. | |||
| Turkish | çılgın | ||
| Turkish "çılgın" is derived from the Persian word "chalgı" meaning "musical instrument" and it initially meant "one who plays a musical instrument" and later acquired the meaning of "crazy". | |||
| Xhosa | uphambene | ||
| The word uphambene may also refer to a person or thing that is abnormal, unusual, or unacceptable in some way. | |||
| Yiddish | משוגע | ||
| The Yiddish word "משוגע" can also mean "distracted" or "insane". | |||
| Zulu | uyahlanya | ||
| Uyahlanya, meaning "crazy" in Zulu, has a hidden meaning: "one who walks in the night." | |||
| Assamese | বলিয়া | ||
| Aymara | luqhi | ||
| Bhojpuri | सनकी | ||
| Dhivehi | މޮޔަ | ||
| Dogri | खबती | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | baliw | ||
| Guarani | tavy | ||
| Ilocano | agmauyong | ||
| Krio | ful | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | شێت | ||
| Maithili | पागल | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯑꯉꯥꯎꯕ | ||
| Mizo | atchilh | ||
| Oromo | sammuun kan dhibame | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ପାଗଳ | ||
| Quechua | waqa | ||
| Sanskrit | उन्मत्त | ||
| Tatar | акылсыз | ||
| Tigrinya | ዕቡድ | ||
| Tsonga | hlanya | ||