¿estás loco?
The English phrase "are you mad?" is translated into Spanish as ¿estás loco?
This phrase is used to ask if someone is mentally ill or behaving in an irrational way. Colloquially, it is frequently used as an exclamation to react to a suggestion that seems ridiculous or impossible.
Which one should you use?
In English, the word "mad" can mean both "insane" and "angry". In Spanish, these meanings are distinct: use loco to refer to insanity and enfadado or enojado to ask if someone is angry.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes gender to match the person being addressed: use loca for a woman and loco for a man. To ask if a group of people is mad, or to ask "are they mad?", use the plural form ¿están locos?
Did you know?
- In certain Latin American countries, calling someone loco is a common way to address a close friend, acting as a slang term like 'dude' or 'mate'.
- The word loco is used in the expression estar loco por alguien, which means to be head-over-heels in love with someone.
- The word loco may have been borrowed from the Andalusian Arabic word láwqa, which meant 'stupid'.
Examples in context
- No te creo, ¿estás loco?I don't believe you, are you mad?
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing a risky decision.
- JavierQuiero renunciar a mi trabajo mañana.I want to quit my job tomorrow.
- María¿Estás loco? No tienes ahorros.Are you mad? You have no savings.
- JavierEs una oportunidad increíble.It is an incredible opportunity.
- MaríaJavier, eres muy impulsivo.Javier, you are very impulsive.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries loco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
