mi fai impazzire
The English phrase "you drive me crazy" is expressed in Italian as mi fai impazzire.
Depending on the context and tone, this phrase can be used both romantically to express intense attraction and negatively to express extreme frustration.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mi (me), fai (you make/do) and impazzire (to go crazy).
Which one should you use?
If you want to say 'it drives me crazy' (referring to a situation or a thing), change the verb to the third-person singular fa.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, you might hear the expression Mi fai 'mpazzì.
How does it change in a sentence?
The subject tu (you) is often omitted because the verb conjugation fai already indicates the second-person singular.
Did you know?
- While mi fai impazzire is common, Italians might also say mi fai uscire di testa to express the same feeling. This literally translates to 'you make me go out of my head'.
- The word pazzo, found in impazzire, can be used as a noun to mean 'a crazy person' or as an adjective for 'insane'. In slang, calling someone un pazzo can actually be a compliment meaning they are daring or wildly talented.
- In some romantic Italian songs and poetry, the idea of 'going crazy' impazzire is used to describe a state of spiritual ecstasy or divine love, moving far beyond simple frustration.
Examples in context
- Tu mi fai impazzire.You drive me crazy.This sentence shows how to use the phrase mi fai impazzire.Tatoeba #3881715 by Guybrush88, translation #3825537 by CK
- Mi stai facendo completamente impazzireYou are driving me completely crazy
- Mi fai impazzire con queste lamentele.You drive me crazy with these complaints.
- Non lo sai, ma mi fai impazzire.You don't know it, but you drive me crazy.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is having a playful argument in the living room.
- AlessandroGiulia, mi fai impazzire con i tuoi scherzi!Giulia, you drive me crazy with your jokes!
- GiuliaDavvero? Mi dispiace, Alessandro.Really? I'm sorry, Alessandro.
- AlessandroIn realtà, mi fai impazzire in modo positivo.Actually, you drive me crazy in a good way.
- GiuliaAllora sono felice di sentirlo.Then I am happy to hear that.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
