Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| szalony | /ʂaˈlɔ.nɘ/ |
| obłąkany | /ɔ.bwɔŋˈka.nɘ/ |
The term szalony is a versatile word used to describe someone or something as crazy, wild or out of control. It can also be used as an intensifier in the phrase jak szalony (masculine) or jak szalona (feminine) to mean 'like crazy', indicating that something is happening at a high intensity. If you want to describe something as 'extremely cool' or 'awesome' in a fun, crazy way, the informal term odlotowy or odlotowa is more appropriate. If you need the noun form to refer to the concept of madness or insanity itself, use szaleństwo.
Which one should you use?
While szalony can be used in a hyperbolic or fun sense to mean 'crazy', obłąkany is a more serious term used to describe someone who is truly insane or has lost their mental faculties.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations where you need to describe someone who is mentally deranged or insane, use obłąkany. In contrast, szalony is more common for everyday descriptions of wild behavior. If you are using slang to refer to a person as a 'nut' or 'crackpot', you would use świr. Other nouns for an insane or eccentric person include dziwak or wariat.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective szalony must agree with the gender of the noun it modifies. Use szalona for feminine nouns and szalone for neuter singular nouns or any plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʂaˈlɔ.nɘ/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word obłąkany comes from the root błąkać, which means 'to wander' or 'to roam'. It suggests that a crazy person is someone whose mind has wandered away from reality.
- The term odlotowy is used to mean 'crazy' in the sense of 'awesome', but it literally translates to something related to 'flying away' or 'taking off'.
- In Polish, the noun wariat can be used both as a harsh insult for a madman and as a playful nickname for a person who acts wildly.
Examples in context
- To był szalony tydzień.It's been a crazy week.This sentence uses szalony to describe a week.Tatoeba #3894990 by jeedrek, translation #3636003 by CK
- Wiatr wieje jak szalony.The wind is blowing like crazy.This sentence uses szalony to show intensity of the wind.Tatoeba #967655 by zipangu, translation #397577 by CM
- Tom jest trochę szalony.Tom is a little crazy.This sentence uses szalony to describe a person's personality.Tatoeba #3630845 by Katubeltza, translation #3528436 by CK
- Ten koncert był naprawdę szalony!That concert was really crazy!
- Wow, twoje nowe auto jest odlotowe!Wow, your new car is crazy awesome!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Agnieszka are discussing a man who is acting very strangely.
- PiotrCzy ty widzisz tego człowieka?Do you see that man?
- AgnieszkaTak, on wygląda na całkowicie szalony.Yes, he looks completely insane.
- PiotrOn krzyczy do pustego ściany.He is shouting at a blank wall.
- AgnieszkaTo naprawdę straszne i dziwne.That is really terrible and strange.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crazy” translations and entries szalony, obłąkany, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries obłąkany, szalony, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
