insane / mentally ill
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insane
Colloquial and exaggerated for completely absurd, crazy, or extreme. Used to express strong surprise or disapproval.
Für ein altes Handy noch so viel Geld zu verlangen, ist ja geisteskrank.
Charging that much money for an old phone is just insane.
mentally ill
Having a severe mental illness. This term is outdated and is often considered stigmatizing today; instead, people speak of mental health conditions.
In dem Roman wird die Hauptfigur fälschlicherweise für geisteskrank erklärt und eingewiesen.
In the novel, the main character is wrongly declared mentally ill and committed.
The word is made up of 'Geist' (mind, spirit) and 'krank' (sick). So it literally means 'sick in the mind'.
Die Idee, ohne Ausrüstung auf den Berg zu steigen, ist doch geisteskrank.
The idea of climbing the mountain without equipment is just insane.
In colloquial language, 'geisteskrank' (insane) is usually used exaggeratingly to mean 'crazy', 'absurd', or 'extreme'. It then refers to situations, prices, or ideas, not to people.
Die Mieten in dieser Stadt sind geisteskrank hoch.
The rents in this city are insanely high.
The literal meaning for a mental illness is outdated and is now considered hurtful. In modern language, you should avoid this term when talking about people's health.
In alten Filmen werden psychisch kranke Menschen manchmal als „geisteskrank“ bezeichnet.
In old films, people with mental illness are sometimes described as 'geisteskrank' (mentally ill).
crazy
Both words can be used to judge a completely nonsensical or extreme situation. “Verrückt” is usually the more general and less harsh reaction, while “geisteskrank” sounds much stronger and is often stigmatizing. “Verrückt” is generally more suitable for expressing surprise; “geisteskrank” expresses strong disapproval.
Es ist geisteskrank, bei diesem Wetter ohne Jacke loszugehen.
It’s insane to go out without a jacket in this weather.
Es ist verrückt, bei diesem Wetter ohne Jacke loszugehen.
It’s crazy to go out without a jacket in this weather.
