pazzo
/ˈpat.t͡so/
The Italian phrase for "crazy person" is pazzo.
Pazzo refers to a person who suffers from a mental illness or behaves in an irrational way. You may also encounter the derivative adjective pazzesco, which is used to describe something that is amazing, incredible or overwhelming.
Which one should you use?
While pazzo is the standard term, matto or matta serves as a common informal synonym often used when describing someone who is acting silly or irrational.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term matto is an informal way to describe a crazy person. You can use the exclamation Che pazzo/a! informally to describe someone as crazy in a lighthearted manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word pazzo changes its ending to agree with the subject: use pazza for a feminine subject, pazzi for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and pazze for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
Pazzo is pronounced /ˈpat.tso/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- Some linguists believe pazzo comes from an old French word for a 'page' or serving boy, reflecting a historical stereotype of such boys being impudent.
- In Italy, using matto often suggests a person is merely silly or eccentric, whereas pazzo can imply a more serious lack of reason.
Examples in context
- Quel signore è pazzoThat man is crazy
- Quella donna è pazzaThat woman is crazy
- Lui è folleHe is crazy
- Quel ragazzo è mattoThat boy is crazy
- Quella ragazza è mattaThat girl is crazy
- Che pazzo!What a crazy person!
- Quel pazzo urla in mezzo alla strada.That crazy person is shouting in the middle of the street.
- Non ascoltarlo, è un pazzo.Don't listen to him, he is a crazy person.
- Hanno chiamato il medico per quel pazzo.They called the doctor for that crazy person.
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are watching a man acting strangely in a park.
- SofiaGuarda quell'uomo, sembra un pazzo.Look at that man, he seems like a crazy person.
- AlessandroSì, è davvero molto agitato.Yes, he is really very agitated.
- SofiaDovremmo chiamare la polizia.We should call the police.
- AlessandroHai ragione, Sofia, facciamolo subito.You're right, Sofia, let's do it right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pazzo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pazzo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
