Russian · Insults
Псих!
psikh
PSEEKH · /psʲix/
Psycho / nutcase
2/5 Bar-safe
coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances
Literally
"Psycho (clipped from 'psikhopat')"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
For someone acting unhinged — the reckless driver, the guy who flipped out. "Psikhovat'" is the verb (to freak out/rage), "ne psikhuy" means don't lose it. Casual and common. To say someone's flat-out crazy you can also twirl a finger at your temple (see hand gestures).
Heard in the wild
Он гонит по встречке, псих какой-то.
He's driving into oncoming traffic, some kind of psycho.
Where it lands
Russia (universal)
Quick answers
- What does "Псих!" mean?
- In Russian, "Псих!" means "Psycho / nutcase". Literally it's "Psycho (clipped from 'psikhopat')". For someone acting unhinged — the reckless driver, the guy who flipped out. "Psikhovat'" is the verb (to freak out/rage), "ne psikhuy" means don't lose it. Casual and common. To say someone's flat-out crazy you can also twirl a finger at your temple (see hand gestures).
- Is "Псих!" offensive?
- It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
- How do you pronounce "Псих!"?
- Say it "PSEEKH" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: psʲix.
Related in Russian
Иди в баню! idi v banyu ee-DEE v BAH-nyoo Get lost! / Buzz off! (gentle) Понты ponty pahn-TIH Show-off posturing / all flash, no substance Дурак! durak doo-RAHK Idiot / fool Придурок! pridurok pree-DOO-rahk Moron / dumbass Дебил! debil dye-BEEL Moron / retard-tier insult Балбес balbes bahl-BYES Goofball / dolt
The same idea, elsewhere
Via concepts like "That's crazy".
- French C'est ouf ! That's insane! / Crazy! (good or bad)
- German einen Vogel zeigen You've got a screw loose / you're insane
- Greek τρελάθηκες; Are you crazy?! / Have you lost your mind?
- Japanese やばい Insane / crazy / no way — good OR bad, from context
- Korean 미친 Crazy — from 'that's insane(ly good)!' to 'you lunatic' to a genuine slur on someone's sanity.
- Polish masakra A disaster / unbelievable / total carnage — the all-purpose 'this is insane.'
- Portuguese Sinistro Sick! / Insane! (both awesome and scary)
- Turkish Deli oluyorum! I'm losing my mind / this is driving me crazy
Reviewed by native speakers. Rate it differently? Tell us what we got wrong.