How to Say “Crazy Person” in Spanish

By •
loco
/ˈloko/
In Spanish, "crazy person" is translated as loco.
The term loco refers to a person who is mentally ill or behaves in a strange and irrational way. In many colloquial contexts, it is also frequently used to describe someone who is acting in a reckless, silly or daring manner. Because it can function as an adjective, you can use loco/a directly to mean "a crazy person" without needing to include a separate word for "person".

Which one should you use?

While loco can refer to mental illness, it is often used colloquially to describe someone acting recklessly or silly. Other terms carry different nuances: chiflado or chiflada specifically describes someone who is eccentric, whereas flipado or flipada describes someone who is excessively enthusiastic or obsessed with something.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Spain, the informal term flipado or flipada is used to describe someone who is excessively enthusiastic or obsessed with something.

How does it change in a sentence?

The form of the word changes to agree with the subject: loca is used for a female subject, while locos is used for a group of men or a mixed-gender group. For a group consisting only of women, use the feminine plural locas.

How do you pronounce it?

/ˈloko/

Did you know?

  • The phrase estar loco refers to a temporary state of craziness, while ser loco describes a permanent personality trait.
  • If you call a friend loco in many Spanish-speaking countries, you might actually be showing warmth and camaraderie rather than being insulting.
  • The origin of loco is a linguistic mystery, with some scholars suggesting it may have evolved from the Andalusian Arabic word for 'stupid'.

Examples in context

  • ¡Ese chico está loco de remate!
    That guy is totally crazy!
  • Tenemos que tener cuidado con esa persona trastornada.
    We must be careful with that mentally disturbed person.
  • Ese hombre está loco.
    That man is crazy.
  • Mi tío es un loco.
    My uncle is a crazy person.
  • No escuches a ese loco.
    Don't listen to that crazy person.

Example conversation

Mateo and Lucía are watching people in a public park.

  1. Mateo

    ¿Viste a ese hombre? Está loco.
    Did you see that man? He is crazy.
  2. Lucía

    Sí, es un loco total.
    Yes, he is a complete crazy person.
  3. Mateo

    Es mejor alejarnos de él.
    It is better if we move away from him.
  4. Lucía

    Tienes razón, Mateo.
    You are right, Mateo.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Wesley Charles
Wesley CharlesHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top