Translation guide
Expresses losing control, becoming extremely excited, or acting irrationally. Japanese equivalents depend on whether the craziness is emotional excitement, mental instability, or wild behavior.
To express that someone gets very excited, often in a positive or energetic way, like at a concert or party.
Literally 'to swell up', used for a crowd or atmosphere getting excited. Very common for parties, events, and concerts.
ライブでみんな盛り上がった。
Everyone went crazy at the concert.
Means 'to be wildly enthusiastic'. More intense and slightly formal. Used for fans or crowds.
サッカーファンが熱狂した。
The soccer fans went crazy.
To frolic or make merry, often used for children or people in high spirits. Implies playful, noisy excitement.
子どもたちがプールではしゃいでいる。
The kids are going crazy in the pool.
To express that someone becomes insane or mentally disturbed, often in a serious or clinical sense.
Literally 'one's mind goes mad'. The most direct equivalent for going insane. Can be used seriously or hyperbolically.
彼はその知らせを聞いて気が狂った。
He went crazy when he heard the news.
Means 'one's head becomes strange'. Common colloquial way to say someone is going crazy or losing it.
こんなに働いたら頭がおかしくなりそう。
I'll go crazy if I work this much.
Formal or literary term for going mad or becoming deranged. Often used in medical or dramatic contexts.
彼は孤独のあまり発狂した。
He went crazy from loneliness.
To express that someone behaves in a wild, reckless, or unrestrained manner, often in a negative sense.
To act violently or rampage. Used when someone goes crazy in a physical, destructive way.
酔っ払って暴れた。
He got drunk and went crazy.
To do whatever one wants without restraint. Implies going crazy in the sense of indulging every whim.
休みの日は家でやりたい放題している。
On my days off, I just go crazy at home.
Literally 'to remove the bit (from a horse)', meaning to let loose or go wild, often in a party context.
To express that someone becomes furious or flies into a rage.
The English phrase 'go crazy' covers many situations, but Japanese uses different expressions for excitement, anger, and mental illness. Using 気が狂う for a fun party would sound bizarre.
たまには羽目を外してもいいよね。
It's okay to go crazy once in a while.
To be mad with rage. Stronger and more dramatic than キレる.
彼は怒り狂って机を叩いた。
He went crazy with anger and hit the desk.