squilibrato
/skwi.liˈbra.to/
The English word 'deranged' is translated into Italian as squilibrato.
Squilibrato is used to describe someone who is insane or deranged. While it can refer to clinical insanity, it is very commonly used in a colloquial sense to describe a person acting in an irrational, erratic or 'crazy' manner.
Meaning: insane (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound consisting of the prefix s- (meaning un/dis-), equilibrio (meaning balance) and the suffix -ato (indicating a state or quality), literally meaning 'unbalanced'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described. Use squilibrato for a masculine singular subject, squilibrata for a feminine singular subject, squilibrati for a masculine or mixed plural group and squilibrate for a feminine plural group.
How do you pronounce it?
/skwi.liˈbra.to/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- Because it stems from 'balance', the word can be used metaphorically in Italian to describe a 'squilibrato' economy or a 'squilibrata' diet, referring to something that is disproportionate rather than mentally unsound.
- To describe someone who is 'crazy' in a fun or eccentric way, Italians avoid squilibrato and instead use matto, as squilibrato implies a more dangerous or erratic lack of control.
- While English uses 'deranged' to suggest something is 'out of order', the Italian squilibrato focuses entirely on the concept of 'equilibrium'. It treats insanity as a mathematical or physical loss of stability.
Examples in context
- Tom è squilibrato.Tom is deranged.This sentence shows how to use squilibrato to describe a person.Tatoeba #3835522 by Guybrush88, translation #1598396 by Spamster
- È completamente pazzo, non riesco a capire le sue azioni!He's completely deranged, I can't understand his actions!
- Il suo comportamento è davvero squilibrato.His behavior is truly deranged.
- Sembra un uomo squilibrato.He seems like a deranged man.
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are discussing a strange person they saw in the park.
- SofiaHai visto quell'uomo nel parco?Did you see that man in the park?
- FrancescoSì, sembrava uno squilibrato.Yes, he seemed deranged.
- SofiaSì, urlava contro il nulla.Yes, he was shouting at nothing.
- FrancescoÈ stato molto inquietante.It was very unsettling.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deranged” translations and entries squilibrato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
