sane
gb/sˈeɪn/ us/sˈeɪn/
B2
English
~ 8300
épelméjű, beszámítható, ésszerű, józan
B2
1
épelméjű
C1
beszámítható
C1
Usage pattern:
to be sane
Doctors confirmed that he was mentally sane at the time of the crime.
Az orvosok megerősítették, hogy a bűncselekmény idején épelméjű volt.
She worried that the stress at work was making her less and less sane.
Aggódott, hogy a munkahelyi stressz miatt egyre inkább elveszíti a józan eszét.
Any sane adult can see that he needs professional help.
He sounded calm, clear, and completely sane during the interview.
Living alone in the woods would drive most sane people mad.
Learner examples
The doctor said that the man is sane.
Az orvos azt mondta, hogy a férfi épelméjű.
She works hard to stay sane while raising three small children.
Mindent megtesz, hogy megőrizze a józan eszét, miközben három kisgyermeket nevel.
He is nervous, but he is totally sane.
A sane person knows not to drive after drinking.
The judge must decide if the prisoner is sane or not.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "sane" for physical health (e.g., *"a sane body"*). "Sane" is only for mental health. For physical health, use "healthy" or "fit." Another mistake is using "sane" as a noun (*"a sane"*); it is an adjective and must describe a noun or follow a linking verb (e.g., "He is sane").
Meaning
mentally healthy; not insane
Collocations
mentally sane
|a sane person
|keep [someone] sane
|seem sane
|no sane person
|perfectly sane
Synonyms
mentally healthy (More clinical or descriptive; focuses clearly on health, not on judgment.)
|
of sound mind (Often used in legal or formal contexts, especially in documents like wills.)
Antonyms
insane (Neutral term for serious mental disorder or extreme loss of reason.)
|
crazy (Informal; can sound less respectful or be used jokingly.)
Themes
health
|psychology
|law
Definition
Having a healthy mind and not being crazy or mentally ill.
Having a normal, healthy mind and not suffering from serious mental disorder or madness.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[a plan/decision/idea] is sane
Cutting all funding for public transport is not a sane policy.
A tömegközlekedés teljes finanszírozásának megvonása nem ésszerű politika.
We need a sane approach to social media use in schools.
Józan megközelítésre van szükségünk a közösségi média iskolai használatával kapcsolatban.
It was the only sane decision in a very chaotic situation.
Her email offered a calm, sane voice in the middle of the argument.
Working eighty hours a week is not a sane way to live.
Learner examples
That sounds like a sane plan.
Ez ésszerű tervnek hangzik.
Leaving early is the sane thing to do in this weather.
Ebben az időben az az ésszerű, ha korán elindulunk.
We should look for a more sane solution.
He finally made a sane choice about his money.
They want a sane and simple rule for everyone.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning is always about mental illness. In phrases like "a sane decision" or "a sane policy," it does not mean "mentally healthy" but "reasonable" and "sensible." Another mistake is using "sane" where "calm" or "peaceful" is needed; "sane" always refers to judgment or the mind, not to the general atmosphere (say "a calm discussion," not *"a sane discussion"*).
Meaning
reasonable; showing good sense
Collocations
a sane decision
|a sane plan
|a sane approach
|sane policy
|sane advice
|sane response
Synonyms
sensible (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech for plans and choices.)
|
reasonable (Stresses fairness and logic; extremely common in neutral and formal contexts.)
Antonyms
irrational (Focuses on lack of logical thinking or reasoned judgment.)
|
reckless (Stresses careless, dangerous behavior rather than simple lack of logic.)
Themes
thinking
|decision-making
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
Reasonable and calm, making good and sensible choices.
Reasonable, balanced, and showing good judgment; not extreme or foolish.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sane
IPA
GB/sˈeɪn/
US/sˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
sane (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sane)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sane
- Comparative: saner
- Superlative: sanest
Word family
Forms
saner
adjective
sanest
adjective
Core family
sanity
noun
sanely
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
any sane person
1/ˈɛni sˈeɪn pˈɚsən/
fixed phrase
any reasonable person as a standard
Used to mean that every normal, reasonable person would agree with something.
Examples
- Any sane person can see that this plan is too expensive.
- Any sane person would choose the safer option.
keep [someone] sane
1/kˈip sˈʌmwˌʌn sˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
stop someone from losing sanity
To help someone stay mentally okay and not feel like they are going crazy, especially in a difficult situation.
Examples
- Talking to my best friend every night is the only thing that keeps me sane during exam season.
- She says her morning run keeps her sane while raising twins and working full-time.
- Joking with my coworkers keeps us sane when the office gets too stressful.
no sane person
1/nˈoʊ sˈeɪn pˈɚsən/
fixed phrase
nobody reasonable would do this
Used to say that something is so bad or foolish that a reasonable, normal person would never do it or agree with it.
Examples
- No sane person would jump from that height without safety equipment.
- No sane person wants a war, but sometimes conflict is hard to avoid.
sane and sober
1/sˈeɪn ˈænd sˈoʊbɚ/
fixed phrase
mentally sound and not drunk
Having a healthy, normal mind and not drunk or affected by drugs.
Examples
- He signed the contract while sane and sober, so it is legally valid.
- She wanted to talk to him when he was sane and sober, not at three in the morning after a party.