Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Crazy'

English Word: Crazy

Key Russian Translations:

• сумасшедший [ˌsumɐˈʂɛdʂɨj] - [Informal, Adjective]
• безумный [bʲɪˈzumnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• чудной [tʂʊdˈnoj] - [Colloquial, Adjective]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for all translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

сумасшедший: [ˌsumɐˈʂɛdʂɨj]

Note on сумасшедший: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'ш' sound is a retroflex fricative, distinct from English 'sh'.

безумный: [bʲɪˈzumnɨj]

Note on безумный: Stress on the second syllable. The 'б' is palatalized, a common feature in Russian.

чудной: [tʂʊdˈnoj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Mentally Unstable or Insane

Translation(s) & Context:

• сумасшедший - Used in informal contexts to describe someone acting irrationally or being mentally unstable.
• безумный - More formal, often used in literary or serious contexts to denote madness or irrational behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Он вел себя как сумасшедший на вечеринке.

  He behaved like a crazy person at the party.

• Её безумный взгляд пугал всех.

  Her crazy look scared everyone.

• Этот сумасшедший водитель чуть не сбил меня!

  That crazy driver almost hit me!

2. Unusual or Strange

Translation(s) & Context:

• чудной - Used colloquially to describe someone or something odd or peculiar, less intense than 'insane'.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой чудной, всегда говорит странные вещи.

  He’s so crazy, always saying strange things.

• У неё чудные идеи, но они работают!

  She has crazy ideas, but they work!

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сумасшедший (Adjective): Declines like a standard Russian adjective based on gender, number, and case.

безумный (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension patterns as above.

чудной (Adjective): Also declines as a regular adjective, though less formal in usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ненормальный (abnormal)
  • странный (strange) - Closer to 'чудной'
• Antonyms:
  • нормальный (normal)
  • разумный (rational) - Closer to 'безумный'

Related Phrases:

• сумасшедший дом - "madhouse", used to describe chaotic or crazy situations.
• безумная любовь - "mad love", often used for intense, irrational passion.
• чудной человек - "strange person", a mild way to describe eccentricity.

Usage Notes:

• 'сумасшедший' is the most versatile and commonly used term for 'crazy' in everyday speech, suitable for informal contexts.
• 'безумный' carries a more serious or poetic tone, often used in written language or to describe extreme emotions.
• 'чудной' is lighter and more colloquial, often implying harmless oddity rather than mental instability.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'безумный' in casual conversation to describe someone’s quirky behavior. This sounds overly dramatic. Correct usage: Reserve 'безумный' for formal or intense contexts.
• Incorrect Example: Он безумный, потому что носит яркие носки. (He’s crazy because he wears bright socks.)
• Correct Example: Он сумасшедший, потому что носит яркие носки. (He’s crazy because he wears bright socks.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, calling someone 'сумасшедший' can be playful or affectionate in certain contexts, especially among friends. However, using it in a serious tone can be offensive as mental health topics are sensitive. 'безумный' often appears in literature or historical contexts, evoking dramatic imagery.

Related Concepts:

• странность (strangeness)
• ненормальность (abnormality)
• эксцентричность (eccentricity)