loco
/LOH-koh/
crazy
Loco (Adjective): Describing a mental state of being crazy, insane, or mad.
loco(Adjective)
crazy
?related to mental state
insane
?a more serious or clinical sense
,mad
?often used in British English
📝 In Action
El ruido constante me está volviendo loco.
A2The constant noise is driving me crazy.
Tuvo la loca idea de empezar un negocio sin dinero.
B1He had the crazy idea of starting a business with no money.
Después del accidente, todos pensaban que estaba loco.
B1After the accident, everyone thought he was insane.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'loco' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'loco' for masculine things ('el hombre loco'), 'loca' for feminine ('la idea loca'), 'locos' for plural masculine ('los perros locos'), and 'locas' for plural feminine ('las mujeres locas').
Ser vs. Estar: A Key Difference
Use 'ser loco' to say someone IS a crazy person (it's part of their identity). Use 'estar loco' to say someone IS BEING crazy (it's a temporary state or action). 'Es loco' is a judgment; 'Está loco' often describes a reaction.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: "Mi hermano es loco porque compró un coche nuevo sin decírselo a su esposa."
Correction: Mi hermano está loco... — You're talking about a specific crazy action (buying the car), not saying he is fundamentally an insane person. Use 'estar' for temporary states or behavior.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Exaggeration
'Loco' is often used to exaggerate, just like in English. If a price is too high, you can say '¡Estás loco si crees que voy a pagar eso!' (You're crazy if you think I'm going to pay that!).
Loco (Adjective): Used informally to express strong passion or enthusiasm, meaning 'crazy about' something.
loco(Adjective)
crazy about
?expressing passion or love for something/someone
wild
?describing an event or thing, e.g., a party
,mad about
?British English equivalent of 'crazy about'
📝 In Action
Estoy loco por el chocolate.
B1I'm crazy about chocolate.
Ella está loca por él desde que lo conoció.
B1She's been crazy about him since she met him.
¡La fiesta de anoche fue una cosa loca!
B2Last night's party was a wild thing!
⭐ Usage Tips
How to Say You're 'Crazy About' Something
The structure is simple and very useful: 'estar loco/a por' + [person, thing, or activity]. For example, 'Estoy loco por el fútbol' (I'm crazy about soccer) or 'Estamos locos por ir de vacaciones' (We're crazy to go on vacation).
Loco (Noun): A term for a crazy person or madman, which can also be used informally as a friendly term of address like 'man' or 'dude' in certain regions.
loco(Noun)
crazy person
?a person who is or acts crazy
madman
?stronger, more negative
,dude / man
?as a friendly, informal greeting in some regions
📝 In Action
No le hagas caso a ese loco.
B1Don't pay attention to that crazy person.
Solo un loco conduciría con esta tormenta.
B2Only a madman would drive in this storm.
¡Qué hacés, loco! ¿Todo bien?
B2What's up, man! All good?
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine and Plural Forms
Just like the adjective, the noun form also changes. A female crazy person is a 'loca'. A group of them would be 'locos' (all male or mixed group) or 'locas' (all female).
⭐ Usage Tips
Friend or Insult?
Be careful with this one! Calling someone 'un loco' can be a serious insult. However, among friends, especially in countries like Argentina, it can be a friendly greeting like 'dude' or 'man'. Pay close attention to the tone and situation before using it.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: loco
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'loco' to mean 'crazy about' or 'passionate'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important difference between 'ser loco' and 'estar loco'?
'Ser loco' describes a permanent characteristic, like saying someone is an insane person as part of their identity. 'Estar loco' describes a temporary state or action, like someone is acting crazy in a specific moment. For actions, 'estar' is almost always the right choice.
Is it offensive to call someone 'loco'?
It can be, yes. If you say 'Ese hombre es un loco' about a stranger, it's an insult. However, between close friends, '¡Hola, loco!' can be a warm, friendly greeting, especially in some parts of Latin America. Context and tone are everything!