pazzo
/ˈpat.t͡so/
The Italian word for crazy is pazzo. Wiktionary also lists matto and folle.
Meaning: insane, demented (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| pazzo | /ˈpat.t͡so/ |
| matto | /ˈmat.to/ |
| folle | /ˈfɔl.le/ /ˈfol.le/ |
All three forms describe someone or something that is insane or demented.
Which one should you use?
pazzo and matto are common in everyday speech, but folle is more literary or formal, often referring to a 'madness' of ideas or actions rather than just a person being eccentric. In colloquial settings, matto is often used to describe someone acting silly or eccentric, whereas pazzo can sound more clinically or seriously insane.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective pazzo must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described: use pazza for a female, pazzi for a group of males or a mixed-gender group and pazze for a group of females.
Did you know?
- One theory suggests that pazzo may have come from the French word page, referring to a serving boy. This stems from an old French expression about the cheekiness of such boys.
Examples in context
- È un po' pazzo.He's a little crazy.This sentence shows how to describe someone as being a little crazy using pazzo.Tatoeba #7959855 by Guybrush88, translation #4798662 by cairnhead
- È pazzo o cosa?Is that crazy or what?This sentence uses pazzo to ask a rhetorical question about someone's sanity.Tatoeba #10905257 by Guybrush88, translation #10904900 by CM
- Tom non è pazzo.Tom isn't crazy.This sentence uses pazzo to negate the state of being crazy.Tatoeba #3783783 by Guybrush88, translation #2236954 by CK
- Quel piano è pazzo!That plan is crazy!
- La sua idea è completamente demente!His idea is completely crazy!
- Sei completamente matto!You're completely crazy!
- 248 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo tells Martina about a dangerous stunt he saw.
- MartinaHai visto quel pilota?Did you see that driver?
- LorenzoSì, era davvero pazzo.Yes, he was really crazy.
- MartinaLorenzo, non farlo mai anche tu.Lorenzo, don't ever do it yourself.
- LorenzoTranquilla Martina, sono un uomo prudente.Don't worry Martina, I am a prudent man.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crazy” translations and entries pazzo, matto, folle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries folle, matto, pazzo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
