狂気
kyōki[kʲo̞ːkʲi]
The English word madness is translated into Japanese as 狂気 (kyōki).
狂気 is used to refer to the abstract concept of madness or a state of insanity. For a more specific idiomatic expression describing a reckless or insane act or behavior, you can use 狂気の沙汰. Additionally, the formal word 狂乱 can be used to emphasize a sense of frenzy, chaos or wildness.
Meaning: insanity (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 狂気 is composed of the kanji 狂 (mad/crazy) and 気 (spirit/mind/energy).
Which one should you use?
While 狂気 refers to the abstract concept of madness, the adjective form 狂った is used to describe a person or thing that has actually gone mad. For a colloquial way to convey the state of being mad or going crazy, you can use 狂ってる.
How do you pronounce it?
kyōki
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 狂う (to go mad) is frequently used in non-psychological contexts, such as when a clock's rhythm is 'out of sync' or a schedule is 'thrown off'.
- The kanji 狂 is composed of a 'dog' radical and a 'yellow' phonetic element, though it has evolved to mean 'madness' or 'wild'.
- In modern slang, the adjective 狂ってる is sometimes used as a high compliment to describe a level of skill or passion that seems 'insane'.
Examples in context
- 冬にあの山に登るのは狂気の沙汰だ。It would be madness to climb that mountain in winter.This sentence demonstrates the use of the phrase 狂気の沙汰 regarding the word 狂気.Tatoeba #124396 by KK_kaku_, translation #279598 by sundown
- 狂気とはそこまで我々にとって縁遠いものではない。Madness is not so far from ourselves.Tatoeba #10901592 by small_snow, translation #12589054 by urro
- 今、彼は本当に狂ってるよ。He is really going crazy right now.
- その映画のテーマは狂気だ。Sono eiga no tēma wa kyōki da.The theme of that movie is madness.
Example conversation
Two siblings are discussing a psychological thriller movie.
- 陽太 Yotaあの映画、少し怖すぎなかった？Ano eiga, sukoshi kowasuginakatta?Wasn't that movie a little too scary?
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね、狂気が漂っていたよ。Sō da ne, kyōki ga tadayotte ita yo.True, a sense of madness was lingering.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵は大丈夫だった？Himari wa daijōbu datta?Were you okay, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、少しゾッとしたけど。Un, sukoshi zo tto shita kedo.Yeah, though it gave me the creeps.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “madness” translations and entries 狂気, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
