louco

Louco is a word in Portuguese that functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, louco means crazy, insane, or mad, used to describe people, actions, or ideas that are perceived as irrational or extreme. The feminine form is louca. As a noun, louco can refer to a person deemed mentally ill; the feminine louca is used for women. In clinical contexts the term is generally avoided due to stigma, with more precise terms preferred.

Usage and nuance vary by formality and region. In everyday speech, louco is informal and highly context-dependent. It can express astonishment or admiration in phrases like que ideia louca or isso é louco, and it can also function as an insult when directed at a person, as in você é louco. The tone, intonation, and cultural context determine whether it conveys endearment, humor, surprise, or disparagement. In some cases, it is used figuratively to emphasize extraordinariness rather than a literal mental condition.

Etymology and related terms. Louco is derived from the base adjective and is closely related to the noun loucura, meaning madness. The pair forms a common semantic field in Portuguese, with louca serving as the feminine counterpart of louco.

In culture. The word appears in everyday language, and it also shows up in music, film, and literature as a vivid descriptor for unconventional or extreme ideas and actions. It is part of a broader set of slang terms that describe mental state or behavior, requiring sensitivity to context and audience. See also loucura and maluco for related concepts.