algo está roto
/alɡo esta ɾoto/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "something is broken" is said as algo está roto.
The phrase algo está roto is used to describe an object that is damaged or in pieces.
Which one should you use?
The phrase uses the verb estar rather than ser because being broken is considered a state or condition rather than an inherent characteristic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Central America, you may also hear Está descompuesto/a to indicate that something is broken.
Did you know?
- While roto describes something in pieces, the word roto can also be used as a noun in some regions to refer to a person who is a 'rogue' or a 'rascal'.
- In slang from some regions, estoy roto can be used to say that someone is completely exhausted or physically spent, similar to the English phrase 'I'm spent'.
- The English word 'rupture' is a direct linguistic cousin to roto, as both stem from the same Latin root 'ruptus'.
Examples in context
- La lámpara está rota.The lamp is broken.
- Señor, el televisor está roto.Sir, the TV is broken.
- ¡Mi teléfono no funciona!My phone doesn't work!
- El ordenador ha dejado de funcionar.The computer has stopped working.
- Mi teléfono está roto.My phone is broken.
- Creo que algo está roto aquí.I think something is broken here.
- No lo uses, algo está roto.Don't use it, something is broken.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are looking at a broken toy in the living room.
- Javier¿Qué pasa con el juguete?What's wrong with the toy?
- SofíaNo lo sé, pero algo está roto.I don't know, but something is broken.
- JavierParece que algo está roto por dentro.It looks like something is broken inside.
- SofíaTienes razón, Javier.You're right, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algo, roto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
