Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| louco | /ˈlo(w).ku/ (Brazil) /ˈlo(w).ku/ (Portugal) |
| maluco | /maˈlu.ku/ (Brazil) /mɐˈlu.ku/ (Portugal) |
| doido | /ˈdoj.du/ (Brazil) /ˈdoj.du/ (Portugal) |
These terms are used to describe someone who is insane, demented. The noun form louco can also refer to an insane or eccentric person. When expressing being 'crazy in love', you can use the common phrase louco de amor.
Which one should you use?
While louco can imply clinical insanity, maluco is often used more colloquially to mean 'wacky', 'eccentric' or 'wild'. The term doido is often more informal and can be used to describe someone acting silly or irrational in a non-clinical way.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Maluco is commonly used in Brazil, and doido is also a popular term among Brazilian Portuguese speakers.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person being described. Use louca for a female, and use loucos for a group of men or a mixed-gender group. The noun form for 'craziness' or 'madness' is loucura.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlo(w).ku/
Did you know?
- The colloquial term maluco may be derived from the 'Moluccas' islands in Indonesia, though its exact origin remains a mystery.
- In Brazil, maluco is often used as a slang term for 'guy' or 'dude' when addressing a friend, regardless of their mental state.
- While louco can be clinical, doido is frequently used in Brazil to describe something 'incredible' or 'extreme' in a positive sense.
Examples in context
- O Tom é louco.Tom's crazy.This sentence uses louco to describe Tom.Tatoeba #2595469 by alexmarcelo, translation #2107475 by CK
- Eu não sou louco.I'm not crazy.This sentence uses louco to deny being crazy.Tatoeba #2066335 by MarlonX19, translation #2066295 by LanguageExpert
- A gente é maluco.We're crazy.This sentence uses maluco to describe a group of people.Tatoeba #2467029 by MarlonX19, translation #2202708 by CK
- Ela é uma mulher louca por viagens.She is a woman crazy about traveling.
- Aquela decisão foi completamente insana.That decision was completely crazy.
- Ele está alucinado por causa da falta de sono.He is crazy due to lack of sleep.
- Aquele cara é maluco!That guy is crazy!
- Esse filme é pirado demais!This movie is crazy!
- 218 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Lucas are talking about a man who thinks he can talk to birds.
- JulianaVocê acredita que ele fala com pássaros?Do you believe that he talks to birds?
- LucasSim, eu acho que ele é louco.Yes, I think he is crazy.
- JulianaEle realmente parece estar louco.He really seems to be insane.
- LucasCom certeza, ele precisa de ajuda.For sure, he needs help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crazy” translations and entries louco, maluco, doido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doido, louco, maluco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
