미친
michin[mit͡ɕʰin]
The English phrase 'insane' is translated into Korean as 미친 (michin).
미친 is an adjective used to describe something characterized by insanity or the utmost folly. While it can be used literally to describe mental illness, it is very frequently used as a slang intensifier similar to 'crazy' or 'insane' in English to describe something extreme or unbelievable.
Meaning: characterized by insanity or the utmost folly (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 미친 is a modifier derived from the verb 미치다 (to go insane), where the suffix '-ㄴ' turns the verb into an adjective meaning 'that is insane'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 미친 is considered informal when used as slang. The phrase 미치겠다 is also an informal way to say 'I'm going crazy'.
How do you pronounce it?
michin
Did you know?
- The adjective 미친 is derived from the verb 미치다, which historically meant to reach or arrive at a certain point before it evolved to mean 'going mad'.
- The word 미친 is often paired with 개 (dog) in extreme slang to create 개미친, intensifying the level of insanity or absurdity.
- Using 미친 to describe a person directly can be a serious insult rather than just playful slang, whereas in English 'crazy' can be more affectionate.
Examples in context
- 그 사람은 완전히 미쳤어요 (geu saram-eun wanjeonhi michyeosseoyo)That person is completely insane.
- 시험 준비 때문에 미치겠어 (siheom junbi ttaemun-e michigesseo)I'm going crazy because of exam preparation.
- 사랑에 미치도록 행복하다 (sarang-e michidorok haengbogada)I am insanely happy because of love.
- 오늘은 일이 정말 미쳐버렸어 (oneul-eun ili jeongmal michyeobeolyeosseo)Today, work went completely insane.
- 미친 듯이 울었습니다 (michin deus-i ul-eossseumnida)I cried like crazy.
- 그건 정말 미친 짓이야.geugeon jeongmal michin jisiya.That is truly an insane thing to do.
- 미친 날씨 때문에 힘들었어.michin nalssi ttaemune himdeureosseo.I had a hard time because of the insane weather.
- 너 미친 사람처럼 행동해.neo michin saramcheoreom haengdonghae.You are acting like an insane person.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are talking about a crazy movie plot.
- 수빈 Su-bin그 영화 결말 진짜 미친 것 같아.geu yeonghwa gyeolmal jinjja michin geot gata.I think that movie's ending is truly insane.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아, 정말 말도 안 되는 전개였어.maja, jeongmal maldo an doeneun jeon-gaeyeosseo.True, the plot development was completely nonsensical.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 너도 그렇게 생각하지?hyunwoo neo-do geureoke saenggak-haji?Hyunwoo, you think so too, right?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 정말 미친 듯한 영화였어.eung, jeongmal michin deut-han yeonghwa-yeosseo.Yeah, it was an insane kind of movie.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 미친, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 미친, CC BY-SA 4.0.
