狂気
kyōki[kʲo̞ːkʲi]
The English word 'insane' can be translated into Japanese as 狂気 (kyōki).
狂気 refers to the abstract concept of insanity or madness. For an informal way to say someone is being insane or crazy, you can use 狂ってる. Additionally, the slang term やばい can be used to mean insane or crazy.
Meaning: characterized by insanity or the utmost folly (adj)
Which one should you use?
狂気 functions as a noun referring to the abstract state of madness, whereas 狂ってる describes the active state of being insane or going crazy. In casual settings, やばい is also used to convey the sense of being insane.
How do you pronounce it?
kyōki
Did you know?
- The kanji 狂 used in 狂気 contains the radical for 'dog' 犭, reflecting an ancient linguistic connection between madness and the wild behavior of animals.
- The slang term やばい can actually mean something positive, such as 'insanely good' or 'crazy amazing', depending entirely on the speaker's tone and context.
- The concept of 'insanity' in Japanese culture can sometimes be linked to the idea of losing one's rhythm or 'tempo' in life, often described by the verb 狂う.
Examples in context
- 彼の行動は狂気的です。His behavior is insane.
- あの映画、めちゃくちゃやばかった！That movie was insanely crazy!
- お前、最近狂ってるんじゃない？Hey, have you gone crazy lately?
- 彼の作品には狂気が宿っている。Kare no sakuhin ni wa kyoki ga yadotte iru.Insanity resides in his work.
- その計画は狂気に満ちている。Sono keikaku wa kyoki ni michite iru.That plan is full of madness.
- 狂気の沙汰だ。Kyoki no sata da.It is an act of insanity.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a dangerous stunt video.
- 美咲 Misakiこの動画、本当に狂気だね。Kono dōga, hontō ni kyōki da ne.This video is truly insane.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。危なすぎるよ。Sō da ne. Abunasugiru yo.Yeah. It's way too dangerous.
- 美咲 Misakiどうしてこんなことをするんだろう。Dōshite konna koto o suru ndarō.I wonder why they would do something like this.
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔には理解できないよ。Hiroto ni wa rikai dekinai yo.I can't understand it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 狂気, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
