Meshugana Meaning in English

word

US

məˈʃʊɡənə

muh-SHOO-guh-nuh

UK

məˈʃʊɡənə

muh-SHOO-guh-nuh

Definition

A slang term, from Yiddish, meaning a crazy or eccentric person. It is often used humorously or affectionately for someone acting silly or wild.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and sometimes affectionate; common in Jewish-American circles and New York area slang. Can sound playful or teasing, not always truly offensive. Plural: 'meshuganas.' Not to be confused with 'meshuga' (adjective), which describes a crazy idea or thing.

• Spanish: loco - chiflado (coloquial, de origen yidis)
• Portuguese (BR): maluco - doido (gíria, origem iídiche)
• Portuguese (PT): maluco - doido (gíria, origem iídiche)
• Chinese (Simplified): 疯子 (俚语，意第绪语来源)
• Chinese (Traditional): 瘋子 (俚語，意第緒語來源)
• Hindi: पागल (स्लैंग, यिडिश मूल)
• Arabic: مجنون (عامية، من أصل يديش)
• Bengali: পাগল (মজার বা অদ্ভুত মানুষ) - বিদঘুটে (ব্যক্তি হিসেবে)
• Russian: сумасшедший (шутливо) - чудак
• Japanese: 変人 - おかしな人
• Vietnamese: người điên (thân mật) - người lập dị
• Korean: 미친 사람 - 괴짜
• Turkish: deli (şakayla) - çılgın (kişi)
• Urdu: پاگل (مزاحیہ انداز میں) - دیوانہ (شخص کے لئے)
• Indonesian: orang gila (dengan nada bercanda) - orang aneh

Example Sentences

He acts like a real meshugana sometimes.

basic

Don’t listen to that meshugana idea.

basic

My uncle is a bit of a meshugana at family parties.

basic

You bought a pet snake? Man, you’re such a meshugana!

natural

Only a meshugana would try to swim across that lake.

natural

Calm down, you’re acting like a total meshugana right now.

natural