psicopatico
/psi.koˈpa.ti.ko/
The English word 'psycho' is translated into Italian as psicopatico.
The term psicopatico is used to describe a person who acts in a bizarre or dangerous manner.
Meaning: person acting in a bizarre or dangerous manner (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While psicopatico implies a clinical or dangerous lack of empathy, the word pazzo is a much more common, colloquial way to call someone 'crazy' in everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes its ending to match the gender of the person being described: psicopatico for a male and psicopatica for a female. The plural form for a group of males or a mixed group is psicopatici. The plural form for a group of females is psicopatiche.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /psi.koˈpa.ti.ko/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- While psicopatico describes a dangerous person, the word pazzo is often used as a compliment to describe someone with an 'insane' level of talent or passion.
- An Italian speaker might use the word fuori di testa, meaning 'out of one's head', to describe someone acting like a psicopatico in a more idiomatic way.
- While psicopatico is the clinical term, calling someone a psicopatico in an argument is often seen as overly dramatic or literary compared to more common insults.
Examples in context
- Lui è uno psicopatico.He is a psycho.This sentence is useful for identifying a male as a psicopatico.Tatoeba #626441 by Guybrush88, translation #290012 by TracyPoff
- Aveva un marito psicopatico.She had a psycho husband.This sentence shows how to use psicopatico as an adjective to describe a husband.Tatoeba #12852300 by Guybrush88, translation #8680652 by Amastan
- È uno psicopatico.He's a psycho.Tatoeba #9211501 by Guybrush88, translation #8477313 by CH
- Marco è un individuo psicopatico.Marco is a psychotic individual.
- Sei completamente matto!You're completely crazy!
- Quella ragazza è davvero pazza!That girl is really mad!
- Sì, ho sentito dire che è pieno di mattoidi da quelle parti.Yes, I've heard that there are a lot of crazies around those parts.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are talking about a strange person in their neighborhood.
- SofiaQuel vicino è uno psicopatico.That neighbor is a psycho.
- MatteoDavvero? È molto pericoloso?Really? Is he very dangerous?
- SofiaSì, si comporta in modo strano.Yes, he behaves in a strange way.
- MatteoDevi stare attenta, Sofia.You have to be careful, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry psicopatico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
