Inklingo

How to Say "frantic" in Spanish

English → Spanish

desesperado

des-es-peh-RAH-dohdesespeˈɾaðo

adjectiveB2general
Use 'desesperado' when the frantic action stems from a feeling of hopelessness or a desperate need to achieve a goal, often involving hurried or extreme measures.
A storybook illustration showing a person straining intensely, reaching desperately with their fingers extended toward a key that is just beyond their grasp.

Examples

Corrió frenéticamente para alcanzar el tren, sintiéndose desesperado.

He ran frantically to catch the train, feeling desperate.

Tomaron una decisión desesperada para salvar el negocio.

They made a desperate decision to save the business.

Fue un intento desesperado por contactar con la policía.

It was a frantic attempt to contact the police.

nerviosa

nerr-vee-OH-sahneɾˈβjosa

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'nerviosa' to describe a situation or atmosphere that is tense and agitated, or when referring to a person's state of being agitated or on edge.
Two simplified human figures standing rigidly apart in a small room, avoiding eye contact, illustrating a tense atmosphere.

Examples

La madre estaba muy nerviosa por la ausencia de su hijo.

The mother was very frantic about her son's absence.

La situación política se volvió muy nerviosa.

The political situation became very tense.

Había una energía nerviosa en la sala de espera.

There was a frantic energy in the waiting room.

Describing Things

This is a common way to give human feelings to non-human things. If the thing you are describing is feminine (like 'la atmósfera'), you use 'nerviosa'.

enloquecido

en-lo-keh-SEE-dohenlo-ke-ˈθi-ðo

adjectiveB2general
Use 'enloquecido' when the frantic behavior is extreme, indicating a loss of control or rationality, often due to intense emotion like pain or anger.
A wild-eyed cartoon character with messy hair and wide eyes, jumping energetically with arms flailing.

Examples

El perro, enloquecido por los fuegos artificiales, ladraba sin parar.

The dog, frantic because of the fireworks, barked non-stop.

El hombre, enloquecido por el dolor, empezó a gritar.

The man, crazed by pain, began to scream.

La multitud enloquecida derribó las vallas del concierto.

The wild crowd tore down the concert fences.

Llevaba un ritmo de trabajo enloquecido.

He was keeping up a frantic work pace.

Matching the Noun

Since this is an adjective, the ending must change to match what you are describing: 'enloquecido' (man), 'enloquecida' (woman), 'enloquecidos' (men/mixed group), or 'enloquecidas' (women).

Use with 'Estar'

When describing someone's current state of being frantic or wild, use the verb 'estar' (to be) rather than 'ser'.

Confusing with 'Loco'

Mistake: “Using 'enloquecido' for a fun, silly situation.”

Correction: Use 'loco' for 'crazy' in a general sense. 'Enloquecido' implies a much more intense, frantic, or even tragic loss of control.

Distinguishing 'desesperado' from 'nerviosa'

Learners often confuse 'desesperado' and 'nerviosa' because both can imply agitation. Remember that 'desesperado' focuses on the *reason* for the frantic action (desperation for a goal), while 'nerviosa' describes the *state* of being agitated or tense.

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