follia
/folˈli.a/feminine
The English word insanity can be translated into Italian as follia or pazzia.
Meaning: state of being insane (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| follia | /folˈli.a/ | feminine |
| pazzia | /patˈt͡si.a/ | feminine |
Both words refer to a state of being insane.
Which one should you use?
follia is often used to describe foolishness, lack of sense or a whimsical state of madness. In contrast, pazzia is more frequently used to describe a clinical or severe state of insanity or a reckless, wild act. The adjective form of follia is folle. The adjective form of pazzia is pazzo.
How do you pronounce it?
/folˈli.a/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian expression essere pazzo come un cavallo literally means 'to be as crazy as a horse' and is used to describe someone who is completely out of their mind.
- While pazzo means 'insane', adding the prefix mezza creates mezzapazza, a term used to describe someone who is 'half-crazy' or acting in a whimsical and eccentric way.
- The term folle is used in Italian literature and high fashion to describe something that is avant-garde or daringly unconventional.
Examples in context
- La masturbazione porta alla pazzia.Masturbation leads to insanity.This sentence is useful for showing how pazzia is used in a sentence.Tatoeba #4359682 by Guybrush88, translation #4353531 by corvard
- C'è una linea sottile tra genio e follia.There's a fine line between genius and insanity.This sentence shows the use of follia in a common expression.Tatoeba #3787454 by Guybrush88, translation #1898169 by CK
- Questa è pazzia.This is insanity.This sentence demonstrates the use of pazzia to express a state of being.Tatoeba #677323 by Guybrush88, translation #2233698 by CK
- La sua pazzia non ha limiti.His insanity has no limits.
- Questa condizione richiama l'insanità mentale.This condition resembles mental insanity.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a very chaotic and poorly managed project at work.
- AlessandroQuesta gestione è pura follia.This management is pure insanity.
- SofiaHai ragione, è un caos totale.You're right, it is total chaos.
- AlessandroNon so come facciamo a sopravvivere.I don't know how we survive.
- SofiaDobbiamo solo mantenere la calma.We just have to stay calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “insanity” translations and entries follia, pazzia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
