mental
gb/mˈɛntəl/ us/mˈɛntəl/
B1
English
~ 1700
mentális, lelki, szellemi, őrült, eszement, pszichiátriai, pszichés
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] has [mental] [noun]
She has been under a lot of mental stress lately.
Mostanában nagy lelki megterhelés alatt áll.
The test measures your mental ability to solve problems.
A teszt a problémamegoldáshoz szükséges szellemi képességedet méri.
Good mental health is just as important as physical health.
He needs a break for his mental well-being.
The puzzle was a real mental challenge.
Learner examples
I need a rest for my mental health.
Szükségem van pihenésre a mentális egészségem érdekében.
My job takes a lot of mental energy.
A munkám sok mentális energiát igényel.
He has strong mental skills.
This game is good for mental exercise.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mental' with 'psychic', which refers to supernatural abilities rather than the mind.
Meaning
Related to the mind
Collocations
mental health
|mental illness
|mental state
|mental capacity
|mental effort
Synonyms
psychological (More formal and often used in academic or clinical contexts.)
Antonyms
physical (Refers to the body rather than the mind.)
Themes
psychology
|health
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
About the mind, thoughts, or how someone thinks.
Connected with or involving the mind, thinking, or intellectual processes.
B2
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is [mental]
He went mental when he saw the mess.
Teljesen kiakadt, amikor meglátta a rendetlenséget.
That party last night was absolutely mental!
A tegnap esti buli teljesen őrült volt!
You must be mental to jump off that cliff.
She’s going mental over the exam results.
It was mental in the stadium after the winning goal.
Learner examples
He went mental when he lost the game.
Teljesen kiakadt, amikor elveszítette a meccset.
The show was mental with so many people dancing.
A show teljesen őrült volt: rengetegen táncoltak.
You are mental if you try that.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this informal sense with the neutral 'relating to the mind' meaning. Context usually makes it clear.
Meaning
Crazy or wild behavior
Collocations
go mental
|completely mental
Synonyms
crazy (General informal term for strange or extreme behavior.)
Antonyms
sane (Having normal and reasonable thinking.)
Themes
slang
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Informal: acting very strange or crazy.
Informal: behaving in an extremely strange, foolish, or uncontrolled way.
B2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
[mental] [condition/illness/disorder]
The clinic specializes in treating mental disorders.
A klinika mentális zavarok kezelésére szakosodott.
He was admitted to a mental hospital for evaluation.
Kivizsgálásra felvették egy pszichiátriai kórházba.
Depression is a common mental illness.
She works in a facility for people with severe mental conditions.
Mental health services are available in the community.
Learner examples
Depression is a mental illness.
A depresszió mentális betegség.
She works at a mental hospital.
Egy pszichiátriai kórházban dolgozik.
He needs help for his mental problem.
Meaning
Relating to mental disorders
Collocations
mental disorder
|mental illness
|mental hospital
Synonyms
psychiatric (More formal and clinical term used in medicine.)
Antonyms
neurological (Relating specifically to the nervous system rather than psychological function.)
Themes
health
|psychology
Definition
About problems or sicknesses of the mind.
Technical: relating to conditions that affect a person's mind and behavior, such as mental illness or psychiatric disorders.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mental
IPA
GB/mˈɛntəl/
US/mˈɛntəl/
Syllables & stress
men - tal (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (men)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mental
Word family
Expressions
go mental
1/ɡˈoʊ mˈɛntəl/
idiom
informal
Become very angry/excited suddenly
To suddenly get very angry or very excited.
Examples
- The fans went mental when the team scored.
- She’ll go mental if she sees this mess.
mental block
1/mˈɛntəl blˈɑk/
fixed phrase
Temporary inability to think clearly
When you cannot think or remember something for a short time.
Examples
- I had a mental block during the exam and forgot everything.
- He's experiencing a mental block with his writing.
mental note
1/mˈɛntəl nˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
Remember something without writing it down
To decide to remember something in your head for later use.
Examples
- She made a mental note to call her mother after work.
- I’ll make a mental note of your birthday.
mental health
1/mˈɛntəl hˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
State of mind well-being
How healthy and well someone's mind is.
Examples
- Exercise can improve your mental health.
- Regular exercise can improve your mental health.
- He took time off work for his mental health.
- Good relationships are important for mental health.