미친 사람
michin saram
In Korean, 'crazy person' is expressed as 미친 사람 (michin saram).
The term describes someone who is mentally ill or behaves in an irrational and wild manner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the adjective 미친 (michin), which means 'crazy' or 'mad' and the noun 사람 (saram), meaning 'person'.
Which one should you use?
While 미친 사람 is a straightforward and descriptive way to say 'crazy person', other forms exist depending on the intended tone. 광인 is a formal way to express the concept of a 'lunatic' or 'madman'. In contrast, 미친놈 and 미친년 are aggressive and vulgar slang terms used to insult males and females respectively.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
미친 사람 is a standard and common expression. If you need to be formal, you can use 광인. However, avoid using 미친놈 or 미친년 in most settings, as these are informal, vulgar and highly offensive slang terms used to insult others.
How do you pronounce it?
michin saram
Did you know?
- While 미친 사람 is the standard term, the word 미친 is frequently used as an intensifier in modern slang, similar to 'crazy' in 'crazy good' or 'crazy fast'.
- The noun 사람 in the phrase once literally meant 'one who is alive'. It is etymologically derived from the verb 'to live', making the phrase 'crazy person' etymologically equivalent to 'a living person who is mad'.
- Using 미친놈 or 미친년 can be an extreme taboo in formal settings, but among very close friends, they are sometimes used playfully to describe someone doing something absurd.
Examples in context
- 저 사람은 진짜 미친 사람 같아요.jeo saram-eun jin-jja mi-chin saram gat-a-yo.That person seems like a real crazy person.
- 길에서 미친 사람을 봤어요.gil-e-seo mi-chin saram-eul bwat-eo-yo.I saw a crazy person on the street.
- 미친 사람처럼 행동하지 마.mi-chin saram-cheo-reom haeng-dong-ha-ji ma.Don't act like a crazy person.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are talking about a strange man they saw at the park.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아까 공원에서 미친 사람을 봤어.a-kka gong-won-e-seo mi-chin saram-eul bwat-eo.I saw a crazy person at the park earlier.
- 민지 Min-ji정말? 무슨 일을 했어?jeong-mal? mu-seun il-eul haet-eo?Really? What was he doing?
- 지훈 Ji-hun그냥 혼자서 소리를 질렀어.geu-nyang hon-ja-seo so-ri-reul jil-leot-eo.He was just shouting by himself.
- 민지 Min-ji무서웠겠다. 조심해.mu-seo-wot-get-da. jo-sim-hae.That must have been scary. Be careful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 미친, 사람, CC BY-SA 4.0.
