ഭ്രാന്തൻ
bhrānthan
The Malayalam word for crazy is ഭ്രാന്തൻ (bhrānthan).
This word describes someone who is insane or demented. It can be used literally to refer to mental illness, or colloquially to describe someone who is acting silly or wild.
Meaning: insane, demented (adj)
Which one should you use?
While English uses the word 'crazy' for any gender, Malayalam uses different forms depending on whether the subject is male or female. Use ഭ്രാന്തൻ for a man and ഭ്രാന്തി for a woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form ഭ്രാന്തൻ (bhrānthan) is masculine and specifically refers to a crazy man. To refer to a crazy woman, use the form ഭ്രാന്തി (bhrānthi).
How do you pronounce it?
bhrānthan
Did you know?
- In traditional Kerala folklore, stories of a ഭ്രാന്തൻ often portray the character as a 'divine madman' who possesses hidden wisdom or prophetic powers.
- In colloquial Kerala slang, the word can sometimes be used to describe someone who is exceptionally clever or 'wicked' in their wits.
- The root of ഭ്രാന്തൻ comes from the Sanskrit word for 'wandering', suggesting that madness is historically viewed as a state of wandering or being lost.
Examples in context
- അവൻ ഒരു ഭ്രാന്തൻ ആണ്.avan oru bhrāntan āṇu.He is a crazy man.
- ആ ഭ്രാന്തൻ എങ്ങോട്ട് പോയി?ā bhrāntan engōṭṭu pōyi?Where did that crazy man go?
Example conversation
Rahul and Meera are talking about a strange man in the neighborhood.
- മീര Meeraരാഹുൽ, ആ മനുഷ്യൻ ഭ്രാന്തൻ ആണോ?Rāhul, ā manuṣyan bhrāntan āṇō?Rahul, is that man crazy?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅതെ, അവൻ ശരിക്കും ഭ്രാന്തൻ ആണ്.ate, avan śarikkum bhrāntan āṇu.Yes, he is really crazy.
- മീര Meeraഅവൻ എന്താണ് ഇവിടെ ചെയ്യുന്നത്?avan entāṇu iviḍe cheyyunnatu?What is he doing here?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅയാൾ വെറുതെ സംസാരിക്കുകയാണ്.ayaḷ verute saṃsārikkukayāṇu.He is just talking to himself.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ഭ്രാന്തൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
