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How to Say "lunatic" in Spanish

English → Spanish

lunático

nounB2informal
Use 'lunático' when describing someone who is behaving in a wild, reckless, or crazy manner, often in a more informal or figurative sense, like driving erratically.

Examples

Ese hombre conduce como un lunático.

That man drives like a lunatic.

demente

deh-MEN-tehdeˈmente

nounB2formal
Use 'demente' when referring to someone who is genuinely mentally ill or insane, often in a more formal or clinical context, implying a serious mental condition.
A storybook illustration portrait of an eccentric, wild-haired elderly man with a long, untrimmed white beard, wearing brightly colored, mismatched clothing, emphasizing the character of a 'madman.'

Examples

El demente escapó del hospital psiquiátrico.

The madman escaped from the psychiatric hospital.

La demente fue detenida después de causar destrozos.

The lunatic (female) was detained after causing damage.

Referring to People

When 'demente' is used as a noun, it refers to the person. You must use the correct article ('el' for a man, 'la' for a woman) even though the word 'demente' itself doesn't change: 'el demente' / 'la demente'.

Reckless vs. Mentally Ill

Learners often confuse 'lunático' and 'demente' by using 'demente' for general recklessness. Remember that 'lunático' captures the sense of wild, unpredictable behavior without necessarily implying severe mental illness, while 'demente' strongly suggests actual insanity.

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