Inklingo

How to Say "madman" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “madman” is “loco” — use 'loco' when referring to someone acting irrationally or behaving in a wild, uncontrolled manner, often in an informal or colloquial context. It can also be used to describe someone who is genuinely mentally ill, but with a stronger, more negative tone than 'demente'.

loco🔊B1

Use 'loco' when referring to someone acting irrationally or behaving in a wild, uncontrolled manner, often in an informal or colloquial context. It can also be used to describe someone who is genuinely mentally ill, but with a stronger, more negative tone than 'demente'.

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demente🔊B2

Use 'demente' for a more formal or clinical term referring to a person who is mentally unsound or suffering from a recognized mental illness, often used in legal or medical contexts. Remember to use 'la demente' for a female.

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lunáticoB2

Choose 'lunático' to describe someone whose behavior is erratic, unpredictable, or eccentric, suggesting mood swings or irrationality, often used humorously or to describe someone driving recklessly.

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perturbado🔊C2

Use 'perturbado' in formal or serious contexts to describe someone who is mentally disturbed or unstable, implying a more severe or concerning mental state than 'loco' or 'lunático'. This term carries a significant weight.

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English → Spanish

loco

LOH-kohˈlo.ko

NounB1Informal
Use 'loco' when referring to someone acting irrationally or behaving in a wild, uncontrolled manner, often in an informal or colloquial context. It can also be used to describe someone who is genuinely mentally ill, but with a stronger, more negative tone than 'demente'.
A whimsical illustration of an eccentric man wearing mismatched clothes and a funny hat, representing a 'crazy person'.

Examples

Ese hombre está completamente loco.

That man is completely mad.

No le hagas caso a ese loco.

Don't pay attention to that crazy person.

Solo un loco conduciría con esta tormenta.

Only a madman would drive in this storm.

¡Qué hacés, loco! ¿Todo bien?

What's up, man! All good?

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).

demente

deh-MEN-tehdeˈmente

NounB2Formal/Clinical
Use 'demente' for a more formal or clinical term referring to a person who is mentally unsound or suffering from a recognized mental illness, often used in legal or medical contexts. Remember to use 'la demente' for a female.
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 fue trasladado a un centro de tratamiento.

The madman was transferred to a treatment center.

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'.

lunático

NounB2Informal/Figurative
Choose 'lunático' to describe someone whose behavior is erratic, unpredictable, or eccentric, suggesting mood swings or irrationality, often used humorously or to describe someone driving recklessly.

Examples

Mi vecino es un lunático, siempre sale a correr a las tres de la mañana.

My neighbor is a lunatic, he always goes for a run at three in the morning.

perturbado

per-toor-BAH-thopeɾtuɾˈβaðo

NounC2Formal/Serious
Use 'perturbado' in formal or serious contexts to describe someone who is mentally disturbed or unstable, implying a more severe or concerning mental state than 'loco' or 'lunático'. This term carries a significant weight.
A person wearing mismatched shoes and a colorful cape, laughing while chasing a butterfly in a field.

Examples

La policía está buscando a un perturbado que causó disturbios.

The police are looking for a disturbed person who caused disturbances.

La policía detuvo a un perturbado que amenazaba a los peatones.

The police detained a disturbed man who was threatening pedestrians.

Turning Adjectives into Nouns

In Spanish, you can put 'un' or 'el' in front of many adjectives like 'perturbado' to talk about 'a person who is...'

Sensitivity Note

Mistake: “Using this word lightly.”

Correction: Be careful; calling someone 'un perturbado' is quite strong and can be seen as an insult or a very serious medical claim.

Choosing between 'loco' and 'demente'

Learners often confuse 'loco' and 'demente'. 'Loco' is much more common in everyday speech and can be informal or even slightly offensive, while 'demente' is more formal, clinical, and neutral, often used in official reports.

Related Translations

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