Which one should you use?
While mi cámara está rota describes the current state of the camera, using mi cámara es rota is a mistake, as it would imply that being broken is a permanent, defining characteristic of the camera rather than its current state. Additionally, if the camera is malfunctioning rather than physically shattered, mi cámara no funciona is a common alternative.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, people may say Mi cámara no anda to convey that their camera is broken. In Mexico, Mi cámara está descompuesta is a way to express that your camera is broken. In Spain, the adjective estropeada is frequently used to describe machines or devices that are broken or out of order. In many parts of Latin America, descompuesta is the preferred adjective for a device that is broken or not working.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the reflexive form mi cámara se ha roto is often more natural than está rota when describing the event of the camera breaking or becoming non-functional.
Did you know?
- The adjective descompuesta, used in Mexico and Latin America for a broken camera, literally means 'decomposed'. In other contexts, it describes the biological process of decay.
- The word estropeada, common in Spain for a broken device, comes from the word estropajo, which is a scrubbing sponge or a rag used for cleaning.
- In Spanish, the word cámara is used for both a photographic camera and a legislative chamber, such as the Cámara de Diputados.
Examples in context
- No puedo tomar fotos porque mi cámara está rota.I cannot take photos because my camera is broken.
- Lo siento, mi cámara está rota.I am sorry, my camera is broken.
- ¿Puedes ayudarme? Mi cámara está rota.Can you help me? My camera is broken.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are at a park and Daniel wants to take a photo of her.
- Daniel¿Puedo tomar una foto de ti, María?Can I take a photo of you, María?
- María¡Sí, por favor!Yes, please!
- DanielOh no, mi cámara está rota.Oh no, my camera is broken.
- MaríaQué mal, Daniel.That's too bad, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
