volverte loco
/bolbeɾte loko/from spelling rules
The phrase 'drive you crazy' in Spanish is volverte loco.
Similar to English, this phrase can be used in a negative sense to describe something that annoys a person or in a positive sense to describe making someone fall intensely in love.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb volver (to turn/to make), the pronoun te (you) and the adjective loco (crazy).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree with the gender of the person being driven crazy. While volverte loco is the default, if the person being driven crazy is female, you must use volverte loca. To say 'it drives me crazy', you change the pronoun te (you) to me (me) and conjugate the verb to the third person singular, resulting in me vuelve loco.
Did you know?
- Beyond the Arabic theories, some linguists believe loco might be derived from the Ancient Greek word glaukós, meaning 'clear'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word loco is used as a casual term of endearment or a greeting for a friend, similar to 'dude' or 'mate'.
- To express that someone is driving you crazy with irritation, Spanish speakers often use the phrase sacar de quicio, which literally means 'to take someone out of their bounds'.
Examples in context
- El estrés laboral puede volverlo/a loco/aWork stress can drive you crazy
- Mis hermanos me vuelven loco/a con su ruidoMy siblings drive me crazy with their noise
- La espera en la fila me enloqueceWaiting in line drives me crazy
- Sus constantes interrupciones me vuelven loco/aTheir constant interruptions drive me crazy
- El calor sofocante me enloqueceThe suffocating heat drives me crazy
- Ese ruido va a volverte loco.That noise is going to drive you crazy.
- La espera puede volverte loco.The waiting can drive you crazy.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a very difficult puzzle.
- DanielEste rompecabezas va a volverte loco, Sofía.This puzzle is going to drive you crazy, Sofía.
- SofíaEs verdad, pero yo quiero terminarlo.It's true, but I want to finish it.
- DanielTe puedo ayudar si quieres.I can help you if you want.
- SofíaGracias, Daniel, eso sería genial.Thanks, Daniel, that would be great.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries loco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
