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"Loca" is a form of "loca", a noun which is often translated as "effeminate gay man". "Loco" is an adjective which is often translated as "crazy". Learn more about the difference between "loca" and "loco" below.
la loca(
loh
-
koh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (pejorative) (homosexual feminine man)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
a. effeminate gay man (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Las locas a veces son discriminadas dentro del colectivo gay.Effeminate gay men are sometimes discriminated against within the gay community.
2. (pejorative) (prostitute) (Latin America)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. hooker (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Dicen que Ana es una loca y que ese tipo de ahí es el proxeneta.Rumor has it that Ana is a hooker and that guy over there is her pimp.
loco(
loh
-
koh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. crazy
En el parque hay una señora loca gritando a los corredores.There's a crazy lady in the park screaming at the runners.
b. insane
No sé si ese hombre está loco o solo es un poco excéntrico.I don't know if that man is crazy or just a bit eccentric.
c. mad
La vieja se había vuelto loca cuando se le murió el hijo.The old lady had gone mad when her son died.
b. insane
¿Estás loco? No puedes saltar de nuestro techo al techo de los vecinos.Are you insane? You can't jump from our roof to the neighbors' roof.
3. (stupendous)
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. crazy (adjective)
Mi vecino es un loco. Trato de no hablar con él.My neighbor is crazy. I try not to talk to him.
b. lunatic
No te preocupes si ese hombre te grita; es un loco.Don't worry if that man yells at you; he's a lunatic.
c. madman (masculine)
Por favor, no describas a mi hermano como un loco. Sufre de una enfermedad mental.Please don't describe my brother as a madman. He's suffering from a mental illness.
d. madwoman (feminine)
En la historia, la loca del desván es la esposa del héroe.In the story, the madwoman in the attic is the hero's wife.
5. (colloquial) (form of address) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. man (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Dale, loco. Apúrate o llegaremos tarde.Come on, man. Hurry up or we'll be late.
b. dude (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Loco, estás borracho. Es hora de volver a casa.Dude, you're drunk. It's time to go home.
c. mate (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Loco, ¿estás listo o no?Mate, are you ready or not?
