บ้า
bâa/baː˥˩/
The English word "crazy" is translated into Thai as บ้า (bâa).
บ้า is a colloquial term used to describe someone who is insane or demented. In a casual context, it can also be used to describe someone acting silly or doing something nonsensical. To describe something that is specifically absurd, ridiculous or nonsensical, the reduplicated form บ้าบอ is often used.
Meaning: insane, demented (adj)
Which one should you use?
While บ้า is the standard colloquial term, บ้าบอ is specifically used to emphasize that something is absurd or ridiculous. For more clinical or formal descriptions, you may use ผิดปกติ or ไม่ปกติ.
How does it change in a sentence?
บ้า can be used directly as an adjective to mean "crazy" or as a verb to mean "to act crazy".
How do you pronounce it?
/baː˥˩/
Did you know?
- In Thai, บ้า can be used as a suffix to describe an obsession, such as บ้าหอบฟาง to describe someone who tries to take on too much at once.
- While บ้า describes insanity, Thai uses the phrase สติไม่สมประกอบ to describe someone who is 'not fully composed', a polite euphemism for being crazy.
- Calling someone บ้า in a formal setting or to a superior is considered a severe insult and a major breach of Thai social hierarchy.
Examples in context
- คุณบ้าหรือ?Are you crazy?This sentence shows how to ask someone if they are crazy using บ้า.Tatoeba #7878679 by pastelite, translation #20379 by CK
- มันทำให้ฉันบ้าIt's driving me crazy.This sentence illustrates the use of บ้า to describe being driven crazy.Tatoeba #8675824 by pastelite, translation #2046 by CK
- นี่ทำให้ฉันบ้าThis is driving me crazy.Tatoeba #8675841 by pastelite, translation #56085 by CK
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a strange person they saw at the park.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanคนนั้นเขาดูบ้ามากเลยนะkhon nan khao du ba mak loei naThat person looks really crazy.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitเขาคงจะบ้าจริงๆ นั่นแหละkhao khong cha ba ching ching nan laeHe must be truly insane.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanฉันไม่กล้าเข้าไปใกล้เขาเลยchan mai kla khao pai klai khao loeiI don't dare go near him at all.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitกนกวรรณอย่าไปยุ่งกับเขาเลยkanokwan ya pai yung kap khao loeiKanokwan, don't get involved with him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crazy” translations and entries บ้า, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
