loco
/ˈloko/
In Spanish, "nuts" (meaning insane) is translated as loco. If unsure, use loco. Wiktionary also lists zumbado and sonado.
Meaning: insane (adj)
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/ |
The adjective loco is used to describe someone who is insane. You can use the phrase volver loco to express that something or someone is driving a person crazy or nuts. If you want to intensify the meaning to "completely nuts" or "utterly insane", you can say loco de remate.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term zumbado is a colloquial way to say someone is nuts, which is similar to saying someone is "off their rocker" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective loco must agree in gender with the person being described. It changes to loca for females, 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?
- The phrase tocado del ala describes someone who is 'nuts' by suggesting they have a physical defect on their 'wing'.
- Some linguists suggest that loco might have roots in the Andalusian Arabic word for 'stupid'.
- In some contexts, calling someone loco is used as a term of endearment or a way to describe someone who is daring and spontaneous, rather than mentally ill.
Examples in context
- ¿Te has vuelto loco?Have you gone nuts?This example is useful for asking 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 shows how something can drive a person nuts using loco.Tatoeba #1545463 by marcelostockle, translation #1545461 by Spamster
- Me estás volviendo loco.You're driving me nuts.This example shows someone driving another person nuts using loco.Tatoeba #4548647 by Shishir, translation #3348437 by CK
- Me encantan las almendras.I love almonds.
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo comprar frutos secos?Do you know where I can buy nuts?
- Quiero hacer una salsa con piñones.I want to make a sauce with pine nuts.
- Mi hermana es alérgica a los cacahuetes.My sister is allergic to peanuts.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about a reckless driver.
- MateoEse conductor está loco.That driver is insane.
- LucíaSí, conduce de forma muy peligrosa.Yes, he drives very dangerously.
- MateoEs un loco total.He is a total nutcase.
- LucíaEspero que no nos choque.I hope he doesn't hit us.
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.
