verrückt
/fɛɐˈʁʏkt/
The English phrase "nuts" (meaning insane) can be translated into German as verrückt or irre.
Meaning: insane (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| verrückt | /fɛɐˈʁʏkt/ |
| irre | /ˈɪʁə/ |
Both words describe being insane or crazy. The phrase jemanden verrückt machen is the idiomatic way to say "to drive someone nuts" or "to drive someone crazy".
Which one should you use?
verrückt is the standard, most common way to say someone is crazy or insane. irre is slightly more colloquial and is often used to express being driven crazy by someone or something.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, verrückt follows standard German adjective declension rules when it is placed before a noun, such as in ein verrückter Mann.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛɐˈʁʏkt/
Did you know?
- The word verrückt comes from the verb verrücken, which means to shift or move something out of its place. Metaphorically, it implies a person's mind has been moved out of its proper alignment.
- While verrückt is the most common translation for 'crazy', the German word for 'nuts' (the food) is Nüsse. Unlike English, you cannot use Nüsse to describe a person as insane.
- The word irre is etymologically linked to the concept of being lost or wandering. It stems from an ancient root meaning to wander or stray, implying that a crazy person is someone who has lost their way.
Examples in context
- Tom macht mich irre.Tom is driving me nuts.This sentence shows how to use irre to describe being driven crazy.Tatoeba #6945259 by Hans07, translation #5776933 by Hybrid
- Ihr seid doch verrückt.You're nuts.This sentence uses verrückt to tell someone they are crazy.Tatoeba #10308666 by Yorwba, translation #2203114 by CK
- Du machst mich verrückt.You drive me nuts!This sentence uses verrückt to describe driving someone nuts.Tatoeba #978128 by Esperantostern, translation #966670 by frpzzd
- Ich liebe Mandeln in meiner Schokolade.I love almonds in my chocolate.
- Könntest du bitte eine Tüte Nüsse mitbringen?Could you please bring a bag of nuts?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a strange movie they just saw.
- LauraDer Film war echt verrückt.The movie was really crazy.
- JulianJa, die Handlung ist total verrückt.Yes, the plot is totally insane.
- LauraJulian, bist du eigentlich verrückt?Julian, are you actually nuts?
- JulianNein, ich finde es nur spannend.No, I just find it exciting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nuts” translations and entries verrückt, irre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries irre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
