What does it mean word for word?
This word is a loanword from German, originally meaning 'finished' or 'ended'.
Which one should you use?
While капу́т is a colloquial way to say something is broken, you might encounter other terms depending on the situation. Use Неисправно for a formal description of a malfunctioning system, Сдохло (derived from the verb 'to die') to informally say something has figuratively died or stopped working and Швах to suggest something is weak, worthless or has become useless.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
капу́т is colloquial. It should be avoided in formal writing or professional technical reports when describing equipment failure.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an indeclinable adjective or adverbial predicate, the form капу́т does not change its ending for gender, number or case.
How do you pronounce it?
kapút
Did you know?
- While капу́т describes a broken object, the related word сдохло is specifically used for animals or machines. Using сдохло for a human is a severe insult, as it implies they died like livestock.
- In Russian, капу́т can be used as a dramatic exclamation to announce total defeat or the end of a situation. In this context, it functions more like the English phrase 'it's all over' than 'it's broken'.
- Because капу́т is indeclinable, it functions as a 'linguistic island' in a sentence. It ignores the complex Russian system of gender, number and case that affects almost every other adjective.
Examples in context
- Мой старый телефон совсем капу́т.Moy staryy telefon sovsem kaput.My old phone is completely kaput.
- Двигатель в машине уже капу́т.Dvigatel' v mashine uzhe kaput.The car engine is already kaput.
- Эта кофемашина, кажется, капу́т.Eta kofemashina, kazhetsya, kaput.This coffee machine seems to be kaput.
Example conversation
Alexander and Maria are checking their broken kitchen appliance.
- Александр AleksandrМария, посмотри на этот тостер.Mariya, posmotri na etot toster.Maria, look at this toaster.
- Мария MariaОн не включается, он капу́т?On ne vklyuchayetsya, on kaput?It won't turn on, is it kaput?
- Александр AleksandrПохоже на то, он совсем не работает.Pokhozhe na to, on sovsem ne rabotayet.It looks like it, it is not working at all.
- Мария MariaЖаль, нам нужно купить новый.Zhal', nam nuzhno kupit' novyy.That's a shame, we need to buy a new one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kaput” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
