How to Say "Insanity" in Japanese

狂気

kyōki[kʲo̞ːkʲi]

The English word "insanity" is translated into Japanese as 狂気 (kyōki).

狂気 refers to the state of being insane or a condition of severe madness.

Meaning: state of being insane (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the kanji for madness (狂) and spirit or energy (気).

kyōki

While 狂気 is the noun for insanity, the verb 狂う is the standard way to say a clock or watch is 'out of sync' or inaccurate.
In traditional Noh theater, the concept of 'madness' related to 狂 is not always a sign of sickness. Instead, it can represent a character reaching a state of spiritual transcendence or divine possession.
While 狂気 can describe a medical condition, it is frequently used in anime to praise a character's 'beautiful madness'. In this context, it signifies an intense, obsessive passion that borders on the sublime.

自慰は狂気に繋がる。
Masturbation leads to insanity.
This sentence is useful for seeing how 狂気 is used in a statement about a result.
Tatoeba #4357076 by Asynja, translation #4353531 by corvard
彼の行動は完全に狂気に満ちていた。
His actions were filled with complete insanity.
彼は本当に狂った人だ！
He's a truly insane person!
彼の行動は狂気に満ちている。
Kare no kōdō wa kyōki ni michite iru.
His actions are full of insanity.
その映画は狂気を描いている。
Sono eiga wa kyōki o egaite iru.
That movie depicts insanity.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Two friends are discussing a dark psychological thriller movie.

美咲 Misaki

この映画のストーリーは狂気に満ちているね。
Kono eiga no sutōrī wa kyōki ni michite iru ne.
The story of this movie is full of insanity, isn't it?
大翔 Hiroto

そうだね、少し怖かったよ。
Sō da ne, sukoshi kowakatta yo.
It is, and it was a little scary.
美咲 Misaki

大翔くんは、こういう作品は好き？
Hiroto-kun wa, kōiu sakuhin wa suki?
Hiroto, do you like these kinds of works?
大翔 Hiroto

緊張感があって面白いよ。
Kinjōkan ga atte omoshiroi yo.
The sense of tension makes it interesting.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏