estropeado
/es-tro-peh-AH-doh/
broken
A broken device illustrates 'estropeado' in a mechanical context.
estropeado(adjective)
broken
?referring to machines or devices
,damaged
?referring to physical objects
out of order
?public facilities or elevators
,messed up
?informal physical state
📝 In Action
No puedo enviarte el archivo porque mi ordenador está estropeado.
A2I can't send you the file because my computer is broken.
El ascensor lleva estropeado toda la semana.
B1The elevator has been out of order all week.
💡 Grammar Points
Changing the Ending
Since this word acts as a description, you must change the ending to 'estropeada' if you are talking about a feminine object like 'una silla' (a chair).
Using with 'Estar'
Always use the verb 'estar' (to be) with this word because it describes a condition or a state that changed, rather than a permanent characteristic.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't use 'Ser'
Mistake: "La radio es estropeada."
Correction: La radio está estropeada. Use 'estar' because the radio wasn't born broken; it's just in that state right now.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to use this vs. Roto
Use 'estropeado' for complex things that stop working (like a phone or car). Use 'roto' for things that physically snap or break into pieces (like a glass or a bone).
Spoiled food, like an overripe banana, shows the meaning of 'estropeado'.
estropeado(adjective)
spoiled
?food that has gone bad
,rotten
?organic matter
off
?perishables like milk
📝 In Action
No bebas esa leche, parece que está estropeada.
B1Don't drink that milk; it looks like it's gone bad.
El calor ha estropeado toda la fruta del frutero.
B2The heat has spoiled all the fruit in the bowl.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Smell Test
Use this word when food is no longer safe to eat because it sat out too long or expired.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estropeado
Question 1 of 2
If your phone screen is shattered and it won't turn on, you would say it is:
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'estropeado' to describe a person?
Yes, but it's informal. If you say a person is 'estropeado,' you mean they look very tired, worn out, or physically 'rough' after a long day or a hard night.
What is the difference between 'roto' and 'estropeado'?
'Roto' usually means physically broken into pieces (like a glass). 'Estropeado' usually means a machine or system has stopped working, even if it looks fine on the outside.