Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| loco | /ˈloko/ | |
| zumbado | /θumˈbado/ /sumˈbado/ |
colloquial |
| sonado | /soˈnado/ | |
| tocado del ala | /tokado del ala/ (from spelling rules) | |
| majareta | /maxaˈɾeta/ | |
| chaveta | /t͡ʃaˈbeta/ |
To express the process of 'going' nuts, you can use the reflexive verb phrase volverse loco. If you want to say that something 'drives' you nuts, use the verb volver followed by the adjective loco.
What does it mean word for word?
The idiom tocado del ala literally translates to 'touched in the wing' and is used to mean someone is slightly crazy.
Which one should you use?
While loco is the standard term, zumbado is a colloquial way to describe someone as nuts. Other forms like sonado, majareta and chaveta also exist to describe insanity.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term zumbado is a colloquial expression.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective loco must agree in gender and number with the person being described: use loca for a female, locos for a group of males or a mixed-gender group and locas for a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈloko/
Did you know?
- While loco usually means insane, in many Spanish-speaking cultures it is often used as a term of endearment or a casual way to address a close friend, similar to 'dude' or 'mate'.
- The word loco may have been borrowed from the Andalusian Arabic word láwqa, which originally meant 'stupid'.
- The term sonado comes from the verb sonar, which means 'to sound' or 'to ring', implying the person has been 'hit' or 'rung' like a bell.
Examples in context
- ¿Te has vuelto loco?Have you gone nuts?This example shows how to ask if someone has gone nuts using loco.Tatoeba #505856 by Shishir, translation #487626 by minshirui
- Esto me vuelve loco.This drives me nuts.This example demonstrates how to say something drives you nuts using loco.Tatoeba #1545463 by marcelostockle, translation #1545461 by Spamster
- Me estás volviendo loco.You're driving me nuts.This example shows how to say someone is driving you nuts using loco.Tatoeba #4548647 by Shishir, translation #3348437 by CK
- Los frutos secos son ricos en grasas saludables.Nuts are rich in healthy fats.
- Me encanta el sabor de las nueces.I love the taste of nuts.
- Los frutos de cáscara son ideales como snack.Shell fruits are ideal as a snack.
- Me gusta comer maní como botana.I like to eat peanuts as a snack.
- Me gustan los anacardos tostados.I like toasted cashews.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about a friend's wild travel plan.
- ElenaQuiere viajar solo por todo el mundo.He wants to travel the whole world alone.
- AlejandroEstá loco si piensa hacer eso.He is nuts if he thinks about doing that.
- ElenaEs verdad, es una idea muy arriesgada.It's true, it is a very risky idea.
- AlejandroSí, ese chico siempre está loco.Yes, that guy is always nuts.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nuts” translations and entries loco, zumbado, sonado, majareta, chaveta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ala, del, loco, sonado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
