Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| descompuesto | /deskomˈpwesto/ |
| estropeado | /estɾopeˈado/ |
In Spanish, the way you say 'broken' depends on what is not working. Use descompuesto for machines, appliances or mechanical systems that have stopped functioning. For things that are damaged, ruined or spoiled, you can use estropeado. Other common ways to express 'broken' include roto/a, which covers both physical and abstract concepts or fracturado/a, which is used specifically for physical fractures, often in medical contexts.
Which one should you use?
The primary difference between these terms is the nature of the failure. descompuesto is used specifically for mechanical or functional failures in machines and appliances. In contrast, estropeado implies that something is damaged or has been spoiled.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, descompuesto/a is an alternative to roto/a and trizado/a can also be used as an alternative to roto/a.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective descompuesto must agree in gender with the noun it describes. For feminine nouns, use the form descompuesta.
How do you pronounce it?
/deskomˈpwesto/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you say a person is descompuesta, you are not saying they are 'broken' in a physical sense, but rather that they are physically unwell or have an upset stomach.
- The word estropeado comes from estropajo, which is a scrubbing brush or scouring pad made of fiber.
- In certain Caribbean dialects, estropeado can describe a person who is 'spoiled' or has a bad attitude, rather than a broken object.
Examples in context
- Nuestro refri está descompuesto.Our fridge is broken.This sentence shows how to use descompuesto to describe a broken fridge.Tatoeba #4627203 by cueyayotl, translation #574026 by Scott
- Igor estaba completamente descompuesto.Igor was completely broken down.This sentence uses descompuesto to describe someone who is broken down.Tatoeba #13836562 by Seael, translation #11826338 by Amastan
- Me parece que mi reloj podría estar estropeado.It occurred to me that my watch might be broken.This sentence uses estropeado to describe a broken watch.Tatoeba #623393 by clerval, translation #251028 by CM
- El jarrón está roto.The vase is broken.
- Tengo el corazón roto.I have a broken heart.
- El vidrio está roto, ten cuidado.The glass is broken, be careful.
- Me he fracturado el brazo.I have broken my arm.
- El hueso está fracturado.The bone is fractured.
- El celular está roto.The cellphone is broken.
- No puedo usar esta silla, está rota.I can't use this chair, it's broken.
- La relación está hecha pedazos.The relationship is shattered into pieces.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are in their kitchen looking at a malfunctioning appliance.
- MateoEl microondas está descompuesto.The microwave is broken.
- Lucía¿Crees que se puede arreglar?Do you think it can be fixed?
- MateoNo lo sé, Lucía.I don't know, Lucía.
- LucíaTendremos que comprar uno nuevo.We will have to buy a new one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “broken” translations and entries descompuesto, estropeado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
