roto
/ROH-toh/
broken
Roto means 'broken' when describing physical damage.
roto(Adjective)
broken
?physically damaged
,torn
?rip in fabric or paper
shattered
?glass/fragile material
,ripped
?clothing
📝 In Action
Mi teléfono está roto; se cayó de la mesa.
A1My phone is broken; it fell off the table.
Compré una camisa con el cuello roto.
A2I bought a shirt with a torn collar.
¿Puedes arreglar la silla? Tiene una pata rota.
A1Can you fix the chair? It has a broken leg.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
Since 'roto' is an adjective, it must change its ending (roto/a/os/as) to match the gender and number of the thing it describes. Always check what you are talking about!
Past Participle Origin
'Roto' is the irregular past tense form of the verb 'romper' (to break). When used with 'estar', it describes the resulting state of being broken.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing Gender Agreement
Mistake: "La ventana es roto."
Correction: La ventana está rota. ('Ventana' is feminine, so use 'rota'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Irregular Form
This is one of the important irregular past tense forms, meaning it doesn't end in '-ado' or '-ido' (like 'visto' or 'hecho'). You just have to memorize it!
Roto also translates to 'broke' when referring to having no money.
roto(Adjective)
broke
?out of money, financially destitute
,devastated
?emotionally heartbroken
penniless
?financial state
📝 In Action
No puedo salir, estoy totalmente roto este mes.
B2I can't go out, I'm totally broke this month.
Después de la noticia, ella quedó rota, sin palabras.
C1After the news, she was devastated, speechless.
💡 Grammar Points
Emotional States
When describing feelings or mental states (like being exhausted or heartbroken), Spanish always uses 'estar' with 'roto/a' because it describes a current, temporary condition.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If someone says 'estoy roto' and points to their wallet, they mean they have no money. If they clutch their chest, they mean they are heartbroken or extremely tired.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: roto
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'roto' to describe physical damage?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'roto' a verb or an adjective?
It functions primarily as an adjective meaning 'broken.' However, it is fundamentally the irregular past participle of the verb 'romper' (to break), which means it's the base form used to create perfect tenses (e.g., 'He roto la promesa' - I have broken the promise).
How do I say 'I am broken' (physically or emotionally)?
You must use 'estar' because you are describing a current state or condition: 'Estoy roto' (for a male speaker) or 'Estoy rota' (for a female speaker).