tengo el corazón roto
/tenɡo el koɾaθon ɾoto/from spelling rules
To say 'my heart is broken' in Spanish, you say tengo el corazón roto.
This phrase is used to express that someone is feeling extreme sadness or grief, typically following a romantic breakup or a significant loss.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tengo el corazón roto literally translates to 'I have the heart broken'.
Which one should you use?
While the phrase mi corazón está roto is grammatically possible, tengo el corazón roto is the much more common and idiomatic way to express this feeling.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, you may hear tengo el corazón hecho añicos to mean 'I have my heart shattered into pieces'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because Spanish uses the verb tener (to have) for this expression, you must use the definite article el instead of a possessive adjective like mi to sound natural.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo el koɾaθon ɾoto/
Did you know?
- The word corazón is frequently used as a term of endearment, similar to 'honey' or 'sweetie', meaning you can address a loved one as mi corazón while also using tengo el corazón roto to describe losing them.
- The word corazón shares a Latin ancestor with the English word 'core'. Both words originally referred to the central or essential part of something.
- While roto means 'broken', the Spanish word for 'broken' is also used in está roto to describe a mechanical failure or a broken toy, blending deep emotional grief with simple physical damage.
Examples in context
- Tío, estoy destrozado/a. No puedo creer que todo haya terminado de esta manera. Necesito tiempo para sanar.Dude, I'm shattered. I can't believe everything ended this way. I need time to heal.
- Tengo el corazón roto tras la ruptura.My heart is broken after the breakup.
- Siento que tengo el corazón roto.I feel like my heart is broken.
- No puedo dormir porque tengo el corazón roto.I cannot sleep because my heart is broken.
Example conversation
Alejandro is comforting Elena after a difficult breakup.
- AlejandroElena, ¿cómo te sientes hoy?Elena, how are you feeling today?
- ElenaLa verdad es que tengo el corazón roto.The truth is that my heart is broken.
- AlejandroLo siento mucho, estoy aquí para ti.I am so sorry, I am here for you.
- ElenaGracias por escucharme, Alejandro.Thank you for listening to me, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries corazón, el, roto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
