Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA |
|---|---|
| galen | /²ɡɑːlɛn/ |
| tok | /tuːk/ |
| tokig | |
| sinnessjuk | |
| vansinnig | |
| från vettet |
These words are used to describe someone who is insane or demented. In a colloquial sense, the word sjukt (which literally means 'sickly') is used as an intensifier meaning 'extremely' or 'insanely', similar to how 'crazy' or 'sick' is used in English slang.
Which one should you use?
While galen often implies actual insanity or being 'out of one's mind', tokig is frequently used to mean 'wild', 'fun' or 'excited' in a positive or energetic sense. Furthermore, vansinnig is a stronger, more dramatic and more formal term than galen, often used to describe extreme madness or an intense, overwhelming feeling.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term sinnessjuk is colloquial. Knäpp is an informal way to express crazy in Swedish. Vansinnig is a more formal term than galen.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective galen follows standard Swedish declension: galen (en), galet (ett), galna (plural/definite).
How do you pronounce it?
/²ɡɑːlɛn/
Did you know?
- The Swedish word galen originates from the Old Norse galinn, which was used to describe someone who was under a magic spell or possessed.
- The term knäpp is a common informal way to say crazy, but it literally refers to the sound of a 'snap' or a 'click'.
- Using vansinnig can describe both a state of madness and a physical sensation of extreme intensity, like vansinnig värme (insane heat).
Examples in context
- Är du helt galen?Are you completely crazy?This sentence shows how to use galen to ask if someone is completely crazy.Tatoeba #3122015 by herrsilen, translation #3696803 by Lindoula
- Jag är lite galen.I'm a little crazy.This sentence demonstrates using galen to say one is a little crazy.Tatoeba #4163541 by richke, translation #656809 by janmato
- Tom är lite galen.Tom is a little crazy.This sentence shows how to describe a third person as being a little crazy using galen.Tatoeba #4163543 by richke, translation #3528436 by CK
- Hans idé verkar galen, men kanske den kan fungera.His idea seems crazy, but maybe it could work.
- Hennes beteende är sinnessjukt och kräver professionell hjälp.Her behavior is crazy and requires professional help.
- Ibland blir jag bara tokig på mina barn!Sometimes I just go crazy with my kids!
- Filmen var riktigt knäpp, men på ett bra sätt!The movie was really crazy, but in a good way!
- Va stollig du är!You're so crazy!
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Karl are discussing a strange news story.
- EmmaHar du hört om mannen?Have you heard about the man?
- KarlNej, är han galen?No, is he crazy?
- EmmaJa, han gjorde något galet.Yes, he did something crazy.
- KarlDet låter verkligen galet.That sounds truly crazy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crazy” translations and entries galen, tok, tokig, sinnessjuk, vansinnig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries galen, sinnessjuk, tok, tokig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
