estaba loco
/estaba loko/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'I was crazy' is translated into Spanish as estaba loco.
You can use the construction estar loco por to express being intensely attracted to or infatuated with someone or something. To express that you were extremely crazy, you can use the superlative form estaba loquísimo.
Which one should you use?
If you use the preterite form estuve loco instead of the imperfect estaba loco, it implies that the state of being crazy was a completed, specific period of time rather than an ongoing state or background description.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Me volví reloco(a) is a regional variation.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the speaker is female, the adjective must change from loco to loca, resulting in estaba loca.
Did you know?
- The word loco might trace its origins back to the Andalusian Arabic word for 'stupid', which was reinterpreted by Spanish speakers to fit their own grammar.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone loco can be a term of endearment or a sign of admiration for someone's boldness rather than a medical diagnosis.
- Because Spanish distinguishes between 'being' and 'becoming', saying estaba loco describes a state of mind, while me volví loco describes the actual moment you lost your sanity.
Examples in context
- Estaba loco por esa chica.I was crazy about that girl.This sentence is useful for showing how to express being intensely attracted to someone using estaba loco.Tatoeba #3302225 by Shishir, translation #3300945 by Hybrid
- Yo no sabía nada, estaba loco.I didn't know anything, I was crazy.
- En ese entonces, estaba loco sin razón.At that time, I was crazy for no reason.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about a bad fashion choice from the past.
- Sofía¿Por qué te pusiste esa ropa?Why did you wear those clothes?
- DanielNo lo sé, creo que estaba loco.I don't know, I think I was crazy.
- SofíaLa verdad es que se ve horrible.Truthfully, it looks horrible.
- DanielSí, ya me di cuenta.Yes, I've realized that now.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
