Mad in different languages

Mad in Different Languages

Discover 'Mad' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'mad' is a small but powerful word, holding a range of meanings that can convey everything from excitement to anger to insanity. Its significance cannot be understated, as it has been used in various cultural contexts to express strong emotions and behaviors. Its cultural importance is evident in literature, music, and film, where the word 'mad' has been used to convey intense passion, rebellion, and even danger.

Moreover, understanding the translation of 'mad' in different languages can provide insight into how other cultures express and understand strong emotions. For instance, in Spanish, 'mad' translates to 'loco', while in French, it is 'fou'. These translations not only offer a linguistic understanding but also a glimpse into cultural norms and values.

Did you know that the word 'mad' has historical contexts as well? In Middle English, 'mad' was used to describe intoxication, which is reflected in its modern usage to describe intense excitement or fervor. This rich history and cultural significance make understanding the translations of 'mad' in different languages all the more fascinating.

So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or just curious, read on to discover the translations of 'mad' in different languages.

Mad


Mad in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansmal
The word "mal" in Afrikaans derives from the Dutch word "mal", meaning "feeble" or "weak".
Amharicእብድ
Alternate meanings of the word "እብድ" in Amharic include 'crazy' and 'foolish'.
Hausamahaukaci
Hausa mahaukaci also signifies 'mad', and 'extraordinary', 'wonderful', or an action carried out in an uncommon way.
Igboara
The word 'ara' in Igbo also means 'wicked' or 'mean'.
Malagasyadala
The Proto-Austronesian root *galak "fierce, savage" has also produced words for "angry" such as Malagasy *adala "mad", in the latter instance having undergone an inversion where the voiced stop became voiceless and vice-versa.
Nyanja (Chichewa)wamisala
The Nyanja word 'wamisala' can also refer to people who behave or talk in an unusual manner.
Shonakupenga
The word "kupenga" in Shona, meaning "mad," also refers to a type of fishing net.
Somaliwaalan
Waalan is also used to describe a person who is very passionate or enthusiastic about something.
Sesothohlanya
In Sesotho, the word 'hlanya' also means 'clever' or 'shrewd'.
Swahiliwazimu
The word "wazimu" in Swahili can also refer to supernatural beings or spirits.
Xhosandiyaphambana
The Xhosa word "ndiyaphambana" also refers to a state of being "over the moon" or feeling "ecstatic."
Yorubaasiwere
The word 'asiwere' in Yoruba can also refer to someone who is overly excited, eccentric, or unusual in behavior.
Zuluuyahlanya
The word 'uyahlanya' originates from 'ihlanya,' meaning the 'forest,' alluding to the notion of being in a state of wilderness or disorientation, synonymous with madness.
Bambarafatɔ
Ewedze aɖaʋa
Kinyarwandaumusazi
Lingalaliboma
Lugandaobulalu
Sepedigafa
Twi (Akan)dam

Mad in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicغاضب
The word "غاضب" also means "full" or "abundant" in Arabic, referring to the overflowing of emotions or water.
Hebrewמְטוּרָף
The Hebrew word "מְטוּרָף" (m'turaph) literally means "thrown off" or "driven out," and is related to the Aramaic word טריף (tareph), meaning "torn."
Pashtoلیونۍ
The word "لیونۍ" in Pashto is derived from the Persian word "دیوانه" (dīvāna), meaning "crazy" or "insane."
Arabicغاضب
The word "غاضب" also means "full" or "abundant" in Arabic, referring to the overflowing of emotions or water.

Mad in Western European Languages

Albaniani çmendur
The term "i çmendur" is also used colloquially to describe someone who is eccentric or quirky.
Basqueeroa
The word "eroa" comes from Proto-Basque "eraun", meaning "crazy" or "furious".
Catalanboig
The word "boig" in Catalan also refers to a person who is eccentric or unpredictable, or to something that is strange or unusual.
Croatianlud
In some dialects, 'lud' also means 'folk' or 'people'.
Danishgal
Derived from an old Norse word, “gal,” meaning “unruly, quarrelsome, or ill-tempered.”
Dutchboos
The word "boos" in Dutch is most likely related to Middle Dutch words meaning "crazy" and "angry."
Englishmad
"Mad" comes from the Middle English word "madde," meaning "furious" or "out of control."
Frenchfurieux
The word 'furieux' has an etymology rooted in the Latin word 'furiae' and can also be used in the sense of 'stormy' or 'raging' in French.
Frisiangek
The word 'gek' can also mean 'strange' or 'funny' in Frisian.
Galiciantolo
Germanwütend
The German word "wütend" originally referred to the rage of a wild animal but has since broadened to include human anger.
Icelandicvitlaus
The word "vitlaus" in Icelandic is derived from the Old Norse word "vítillaus," meaning "not in one's right mind," and is cognate with the English word "witless."
Irishas a mheabhair
"as a mheabhair" comes from the Old Irish for "with great madness"
Italianpazzo
The word "pazzo" in Italian has ancient roots, deriving from the Latin "passus," meaning "step," and later "dance," suggesting a connection between madness and uncontrolled movement or behavior.
Luxembourgishverréckt
Malteseġenn
The word 'ġenn' also has connotations with 'insanity' and 'frenzy'.
Norwegiangal
Gal is also used to describe animals, such as the crazy toad (galpadde).
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)louco
In Portuguese, "louco" can also refer to an eccentric or extravagant person.
Scots Gaeliccuthach
Cuthach can also mean 'wild' or 'ferocious' and is often used to describe animals or the weather.
Spanishenojado
The Spanish word "enojado" finds its root in the Latin "indignare", meaning "to arouse indignation".
Swedishgalen
The word 'galen' is thought to have originated from the Old Norse word 'galinn', which means 'fierce' or 'wild'.
Welshyn wallgof

Mad in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianшалёны
The word comes from the Proto-Slavic word *šalьnyjь, which also meant "playful" or "foolish."
Bosnianluda
Bosnian word "luda" (derived from Turkish "lütuv") can also colloquially refer to a naughty or mischievous person.
Bulgarianлуд
"луд" (
Czechšílený
Šílený shares a root with "šíliti", meaning "to sharpen", and originally meant "to become sharp-minded".
Estonianvihane
"Viha" is an old word that means "anger" or "wrath". The word "vihane" is its derivative and means "angry" or "mad".
Finnishhullu
"Hullu" is also used in the sense of 'daring' or 'wild'.
Hungarianőrült
The word "őrült" is a derivative of "őr" which means "guard", so it originally meant "vigilance".
Latviantraks
The Latvian word "traks" can also refer to a "crazy person" or a "madman."
Lithuanianpiktas
The etymology of "piktas" is uncertain but it may derive from a Proto-Balto-Slavic root meaning "hot; angry".
Macedonianлуд
The word "луд" in Macedonian also has the alternate meaning of "fiery" or "burning".
Polishszalony
The word "szalony" derives from the Old Polish word "szałoć", meaning "fury or rage".
Romaniannebun
The word "nebun" in Romanian is thought to originate from the Latin word "nebulosus," meaning "cloudy" or "misty."
Russianбез ума
Serbianлуд
In Serbian, the word 'луд' can also mean 'insane' or 'mentally ill'.
Slovakšialený
The word "šialený" comes from the Proto-Slavic word "*šьlьnъ", meaning "wild" or "furious".
Slovenianjezen
The word 'jezen' is of Slavic origin and is related to the Proto-Slavic word 'jьzъ', which means 'wild beast'.
Ukrainianбожевільний
The word "божевільний" is derived from "Бог" and "вільний" in Ukrainian, which originally meant "free of God" and was used to refer to people with mental issues.

Mad in South Asian Languages

Bengaliপাগল
"পাগল" is also used to refer to a mischievous or playful person, or a jester or fool.
Gujaratiપાગલ
The word 'પાગલ' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'पागलं', which means 'afflicted' or 'insane'.
Hindiपागल
The Hindi word "पागल" (mad) is derived from the Sanskrit word "पागल" (pagal), which means "to be disturbed" or "to be crazy".
Kannadaಹುಚ್ಚು
The word 'ಹುಚ್ಚು' (mad) in Kannada is derived from the Sanskrit word 'उच्छु' (utschu), which means 'to jump or leap'.
Malayalamഭ്രാന്തൻ
The Malayalam word 'bhranthan' ('mad') is derived from the Sanskrit word 'bhranta,' meaning 'wandering' or 'deluded,' suggesting a state of mental disorientation or confusion.
Marathiवेडा
The etymology of the Marathi word "वेडा" is traced to Sanskrit, meaning "possessed", and it can also refer to someone who is arrogant.
Nepaliपागल
The term पागल can refer to an intoxicated or crazy person, with the word potentially sharing origins with Sanskrit or Tibetan words for "mad"
Punjabiਪਾਗਲ
The word "ਪਾਗਲ" also means "an ascetic who has renounced worldly pleasures" in Punjabi.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පිස්සු
පිස්සු is often used to describe something that is very hot, spicy, or unpleasant
Tamilபைத்தியம்
"Paittiyam" (பைத்தியம்) derives from the Sanskrit "paiti" (away) and "ti" (to be) and can also mean "outside of oneself".
Teluguపిచ్చి
The word 'పిచ్చి' (mad) in Telugu also refers to 'extreme excitement' or 'great joy'.
Urduپاگل
The Urdu word "پاگل" can also refer to a type of dance, where the dancer wears bright colors and dances in a playful and carefree manner.

Mad in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)
The second character in "狂" (mad) is "广" (wide), which suggests that madness is a state of being overly expansive.
Chinese (Traditional)
"狂" has different meanings and pronunciations: "疯狂" and "狂妄" means arrogant, and "狂风" means gale.}
Japanese狂った
The word 狂った (kuru_tta) is an adjective that can mean 'mad' in Japanese, but it can also mean 'crazy,' 'wild,' or 'frenzied,' depending on the context.
Korean미친
미친 ('micin') is also used in Korea to refer to someone who is very good at something, like a 'mad' genius.
Mongolianгалзуу
"Галзуу" means "mad" but its original meaning is "angry" that has been transferred by metonymy to mad. The word "gal" can be still used separately meaning "anger".
Myanmar (Burmese)အရူး
အရူး can also be used to mean 'crazy', 'insane' or even 'foolish'

Mad in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiangila
The word "gila" can also mean "extravagant" or "extraordinary" in Indonesian.
Javaneseedan
The word "edan" in Javanese can also mean "different" or "unique", and is derived from the word "eda" which means "to change".
Khmerឆ្កួត
The word "ឆ្កួត" (mad) in Khmer could also refer to rabies or epilepsy.
Laoບ້າ
The Lao word ບ້າ ("mad") is cognate with the Thai word บ้า, which also means "crazy" or "foolish".
Malaymarah
The word marah has two meanings, namely "anger" and "prohibition."}
Thaiบ้า
"บ้า" (mad) can also refer to the wild nature of forests and hills or of animals that dwell far from civilization.
Vietnameseđiên
"Điên" also means "lightning" in Sino-Vietnamese because the word is a loanword from the Chinese word "电" (diàn), which means "electricity".
Filipino (Tagalog)galit

Mad in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanidəli
The word "dəli" can also mean "brave" or "foolish" in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhжынды
The Kazakh word "жынды" is a homophone, meaning both "mad" and "red-hot."
Kyrgyzжинди
The word "жинди" in Kyrgyz may also refer to a type of traditional Kyrgyz felt rug.
Tajikдевона
The word "девона" is derived from the Proto-Indo-Iranian word "*dʰeu̯h-nóh₂"," which also means "intoxicated" or "furious".
Turkmendäli
Uzbektelba
The word 'Telba' can also refer to a type of cotton fabric or a species of bird.
Uyghurساراڭ

Mad in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhuhū
The word "huhū" also means "crazy" or "wild" in Hawaiian, and is related to the word "hulu" meaning "feathers".
Maorihaurangi
In some Eastern dialects, hau rangi may mean 'strong wind'.
Samoanvalea
Valea, the Samoan word for "madness or insanity," also refers to certain types of destructive behavior, curses, and curses in general.
Tagalog (Filipino)galit
"Galit" can also refer to "itch" in Tagalog

Mad in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraluqhi
Guaranipochy

Mad in International Languages

Esperantofreneza
"Freneza" can also mean "ecstasy" or "frenzy" in Esperanto.
Latinad insaniam convertunt
In Latin, 'ad insaniam convertunt' can also mean "to drive to madness" or "to cause to become insane".

Mad in Others Languages

Greekτρελός
The word "τρελός" has been used to describe the mentally ill since at least the 15th century, and may be related to "τρέμω" ("tremble").
Hmongchim
The Hmong word "chim" also refers to a type of spirit or deity.
Kurdishbêbawer
The Kurdish word "bêbawer" can also mean "unfaithful" or "irresponsible".
Turkishdeli
The Turkish word "deli" also means "brave", "strong", or "crazy", depending on the context in which it is used.
Xhosandiyaphambana
The Xhosa word "ndiyaphambana" also refers to a state of being "over the moon" or feeling "ecstatic."
Yiddishווילד
ווילד can mean wild, furious, violent, or savage in Yiddish.
Zuluuyahlanya
The word 'uyahlanya' originates from 'ihlanya,' meaning the 'forest,' alluding to the notion of being in a state of wilderness or disorientation, synonymous with madness.
Assameseপগলা
Aymaraluqhi
Bhojpuriपगलेट
Dhivehiމޮޔަ
Dogriपागल
Filipino (Tagalog)galit
Guaranipochy
Ilocanonapungtot
Kriovɛks
Kurdish (Sorani)شێت
Maithiliपागल
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯑꯉꯥꯎꯕ
Mizoa
Oromomaraataa
Odia (Oriya)ପାଗଳ
Quechuawaqa
Sanskritमत्तः
Tatarакылдан язган
Tigrinyaዕቡድ
Tsongapenga

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