kaputt
/kaˈpʊt/
The English phrase "broken" (not working properly) can be translated into German as kaputt. Wiktionary also lists defekt.
Meaning: not working properly (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| kaputt | /kaˈpʊt/ |
| defekt | /deˈfɛkt/ |
The word kaputt is used in informal conversations to describe things that are broken.
Which one should you use?
While kaputt is used in everyday conversation, defekt is a more formal or technical term often used in official reports or technical documentation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of something breaking, you use the separable verb kaputtgehen.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈpʊt/
Did you know?
- The word kaputt was originally borrowed from the French phrase être capot, which described a card player who failed to win a single trick.
- While kaputt describes a broken object, saying Ich bin kaputt means you are physically or mentally exhausted rather than literally broken.
- When using the verb kaputtgehen to say something broke, the kaputt part often jumps to the very end of the sentence due to German separable verb rules.
Examples in context
- Die Tür ist kaputt.The door is broken.This sentence shows how to describe a door that is broken using kaputt.Tatoeba #11955484 by Naina, translation #9188512 by CK
- Es ist nicht kaputt.It's not broken.This sentence uses kaputt to state that something is not broken.Tatoeba #6645040 by Felixjp, translation #2249113 by CK
- Mein Auto ist kaputt.My car is broken.This sentence demonstrates how to say a car is broken using kaputt.Tatoeba #641094 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #367573 by balli34
- Der Stuhl ist kaputt.The chair is broken.
- Die Waschmaschine ist kaputt.The washing machine is broken.
- Die Klimaanlage ist defekt.The air conditioner is broken.
- Das Gerät ist defekt.The device is broken.
- Der Spiegel ist beschädigt.The mirror is damaged.
- Das Bild ist leicht beschädigt.The picture is slightly damaged.
- Mein Handy ist kaputt.My phone is broken.
- Die Fernbedienung ist kaputt.The remote control is broken.
- Der Laptop ist im Eimer.The laptop is broken.
- Unsere Pläne sind im Eimer.Our plans are ruined.
- Ich habe das Glas kaputtgemacht.I broke the glass.
- Wir haben den Zaun kaputtgemacht.We damaged the fence.
- 186 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are looking at a broken coffee machine in the kitchen.
- LauraLukas, ist die Kaffeemaschine kaputt?Lukas, is the coffee machine broken?
- LukasJa, sie ist leider kaputt.Yes, it is unfortunately broken.
- LauraOh nein, ich brauche Kaffee!Oh no, I need coffee!
- LukasIch kaufe morgen eine neue für dich.I will buy a new one for you tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “broken” translations and entries kaputt, defekt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries defekt, kaputt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
