Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| pazzo | /ˈpat.t͡so/ |
| folle | /ˈfɔl.le/ /ˈfol.le/ |
Italian uses different words for 'insane' depending on whether you are describing a person's mental state or an abstract concept. While pazzo is the standard word for a person being crazy or insane, folle is often used for abstract things like an idea or a speed.
Which one should you use?
pazzo is the more common, everyday word used to describe people who are crazy or insane. In contrast, folle is a more literary or formal term that is frequently used to describe abstract concepts, such as an action, an idea or a speed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms of these adjectives change based on gender and number. The adjective pazzo becomes pazza when describing a female subject. The adjective folle changes to folli in its masculine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word pazzo is pronounced /ˈpat.tso/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word folle comes from the Latin word for a set of bellows, suggesting that an insane person is someone who is full of air.
- Italian uses pazzo not only for insanity but also as a common way to say someone is 'crazy about' something, like a hobby or a person, similar to the English 'madly in love'.
- In Italian, calling someone pazzo can be a lighthearted joke among friends, but using the literary folle can make the statement feel much more dramatic or tragic.
Examples in context
- Tom è pazzo, vero?Tom is insane, isn't he?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pazzo when referring to a person.Tatoeba #3783817 by Guybrush88, translation #6898780 by CK
- Questa velocità è folle.This speed is insane.This sentence demonstrates how folle can be used to describe a concept like speed.Tatoeba #3703858 by Guybrush88, translation #1759771 by wallebot
- Charles Guiteau era pazzo.Charles Guiteau was insane.This sentence shows an example of using pazzo in a historical context.Tatoeba #5848727 by Guybrush88, translation #806933 by Source_VOA
- Il suo comportamento è assolutamente fuori di testa!His/Her behavior is absolutely insane!
- Quel ragazzo è matto!That guy is insane!
- Hai visto il suo nuovo tatuaggio? È pazzesco!Have you seen his/her new tattoo? It's insane!
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are talking about a crazy movie they just watched.
- MartinaQuel film era davvero pazzo!That movie was truly insane!
- MatteoSì, la trama era un incubo.Yes, the plot was a nightmare.
- MartinaIl protagonista sembrava un pazzo.The protagonist seemed like a madman.
- MatteoEra un personaggio troppo eccentrico.He was too eccentric a character.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “insane” translations and entries pazzo, folle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries folle, pazzo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
