crazy
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crazy
(Colloquial) Crazy, eccentric, or over-the-top. Describes a person or an idea whose behavior or nature is perceived as strange or irrational.
Er hat die durchgeknallte Idee, mit einem Tretboot den Atlantik zu überqueren.
He has the crazy idea of crossing the Atlantic in a pedal boat.
'Durchgeknallt' (crazy) is the past participle of the verb 'durchknallen'. The image behind it is a fuse that 'durchknallt' (blows), meaning it breaks. Metaphorically, it describes that something in someone's head is no longer working properly.
Seine Reaktion war so übertrieben, er ist wohl komplett durchgeknallt.
His reaction was so exaggerated; he must have completely lost it.
This word clearly belongs to colloquial speech. It is very informal and, depending on the context, can sound derogatory or humorous. It should be avoided in formal situations.
Mein kleiner Bruder hat manchmal ziemlich durchgeknallte Einfälle.
My little brother sometimes has pretty crazy ideas.
Since 'durchgeknallt' (crazy) already describes a strong quality, it is often combined with adverbs that intensify it even further. You often hear 'total durchgeknallt' (totally crazy), 'völlig durchgeknallt' (completely crazy), or 'komplett durchgeknallt' (completely crazy).
Die Party war total durchgeknallt, aber es hat Spaß gemacht.
The party was totally crazy, but it was fun.
normal
'normal' and 'durchgeknallt' form a contrast between ordinary and very crazy or over-the-top. 'normal' describes something that is expected and does not especially stand out. 'durchgeknallt' is colloquial and describes people, ideas, or plans that seem strange, extreme, or unreasonable. The word can be meant humorously, but it can also sound derogatory. In neutral texts, 'normal' is appropriate; 'durchgeknallt' is more suitable for casual conversations.
Nach dem Gespräch fand mein Kollege den Plan völlig durchgeknallt.
After the conversation, my colleague thought the plan was completely crazy.
Ihre Einkaufsliste ist normal, aber die Menge an Schokolade ist wirklich groß.
Her shopping list is normal, but the amount of chocolate is really large.