chiflado
The Italian word for loony is chiflado.
chiflado is used to describe someone who is insane.
Meaning: insane (adj)
Which one should you use?
While chiflado describes someone who is insane, the colloquial term Svampito or Svampita is used specifically for someone who is scatterbrained, absent-minded or a bit out there.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Sicilian dialect, the word Mattu is used to mean loony or crazy.
Did you know?
- To describe someone as 'completely loony' in a colloquial way, Italians might use the phrase essere fuori di testa, which literally means 'to be outside of one's head'.
- If you call someone pazzo, you are using a term that can range from a playful joke among friends to a serious medical or legal diagnosis depending on the tone.
- To describe someone who is 'loony' in a way that is charming or quirky, Italians might avoid chiflado and instead use the word strambo, which implies a strange but harmless personality.
Examples in context
- A volte sembra completamente matto.Sometimes he seems completely loony.
- Il suo atteggiamento è totalmente squilibrato.His attitude is completely loony.
- Considero quell'uomo un po' squilibrato.I consider that man a bit loony.
- Sei completamente pazzo!You're completely loony!
- È pazza quella ragazza!That girl is loony!
- La mia amica è un po' svampita.My friend is a bit loony.
Example conversation
Lorenzo tells Martina about his plan to jump into a frozen lake.
- LorenzoDomani voglio tuffarmi nel lago ghiacciato!Tomorrow I want to dive into the frozen lake!
- MartinaLorenzo, ma sei chiflado?Lorenzo, are you loony?
- LorenzoNo, è solo un'idea divertente.No, it is just a fun idea.
- MartinaÈ un'idea folle e pericolosa.It is a crazy and dangerous idea.
