du bist verrückt
The English phrase "you're crazy" is expressed in German as du bist verrückt.
This expression is used to tell someone that they are mentally unstable or are behaving in an irrational way. It can be used as a literal insult regarding mental stability or as an exclamation of disbelief or surprise at someone's bold or irrational actions.
Which one should you use?
Du bist verrückt is the informal version used with friends, family or people you know well, whereas Sie sind verrückt is the formal version. For a more colloquial sense of being irrational or acting foolishly, you might use Du bist bekloppt.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing someone formally, you must use the polite form Sie sind verrückt instead of du bist verrückt.
Did you know?
- While verrückt means 'crazy' today, its literal root means 'shifted' or 'displaced'. It originally described something that had been moved out of its proper place.
- The colloquial alternative bekloppt comes from the word Klopp, referring to a heavy blow or a clonk on the head. It suggests the person is acting as if they have been hit over the head.
- The word bist in the phrase du bist verrückt is a linguistic hybrid. It was shaped by the influence of an entirely different Proto-Germanic verb, meaning it carries the DNA of two different ancestral words.
Examples in context
- Du bist verrückt, so ein teures Fahrrad zu kaufen.You're crazy to buy such an expensive bike.This sentence uses du bist verrückt to describe an irrational decision to buy an expensive bike.Tatoeba #2221981 by Manfredo, translation #54669 by CK
- Du bist verrückt!You're crazy!This sentence uses du bist verrückt as a direct exclamation.Tatoeba #664533 by Esperantostern, translation #664251 by BlueLagoon
- Sie sind doch verrückt, so viel Arbeit anzunehmen!You're crazy to take on so much work!
- Du bist total bekloppt, nochmal in den kalten See zu springen!You're totally nuts to jump into the cold lake again!
- Du bist verrückt, wenn du glaubst, dass ich das tue.You're crazy if you think I would do that.
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are discussing a dangerous hiking route.
- SarahWillst du wirklich heute Nacht in den Bergen wandern?Do you really want to hike in the mountains tonight?
- LukasJa, das wird ein tolles Abenteuer!Yes, it will be a great adventure!
- SarahDu bist verrückt, Lukas!You're crazy, Lukas!
- LukasAch komm, sei nicht so vorsichtig.Oh come on, don't be so cautious.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bist, du, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
