Inklingo

How to Say "bankrupt" in Spanish

English → Spanish

arruinado

ah-rwee-NAH-dohar.rwiˈna.ðo

adjectiveB1formal
Use 'arruinado' when referring to the legal or official financial status of being bankrupt, indicating a state of complete financial ruin.
A crumbling, ancient stone castle wall showing significant cracks and large pieces falling away, symbolizing complete destruction and ruin.

Examples

El negocio se declaró arruinado tras la crisis económica.

The business declared itself bankrupt after the economic crisis.

Después de la inversión fallida, se quedó arruinado.

After the failed investment, he was left ruined (broke).

Su reputación está arruinada por el escándalo.

Her reputation is destroyed by the scandal.

El incendio dejó la casa completamente arruinada.

The fire left the house completely ruined.

Agreement is Crucial

Since 'arruinado' is an adjective, make sure it matches the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'arruinado', 'arruinada', 'arruinados', 'arruinadas'.

Using SER vs. ESTAR

You almost always use 'estar' (to be) with 'arruinado' because it describes the current condition or state of someone or something, not an inherent quality.

Forgetting Gender Match

Mistake: “La empresa está arruinado.”

Correction: La empresa está arruinada. (Since 'empresa' is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine.)

quebrado

keh-BRAH-dohkeˈβɾaðo

adjectiveB1
Use 'quebrado' to describe someone or something that is financially ruined or broken, often implying a more general state of insolvency or collapse, but be aware it can also mean 'broken' in a physical sense.
A colorful illustration of a wooden pencil snapped in two pieces.

Examples

Después de invertir todo su dinero, quedó quebrado y tuvo que empezar de cero.

After investing all his money, he was left bankrupt and had to start from scratch.

Ten cuidado con ese plato, está quebrado.

Be careful with that plate; it is broken (cracked).

Después de la crisis, el pequeño negocio quedó quebrado.

After the crisis, the small business went bankrupt.

El terreno era muy quebrado y difícil de caminar.

The terrain was very rugged and difficult to walk through.

Adjective Matching

This word must change to 'quebrada' if the object you are describing is feminine, like 'una silla quebrada' (a broken chair).

Using with 'Estar'

We use the verb 'estar' (to be) because being broken or bankrupt is considered a state or condition that could change.

Quebrado vs. Roto

Mistake: “Saying 'mi teléfono está quebrado' for a shattered screen.”

Correction: While 'quebrado' is okay in some regions, 'roto' is more common for completely destroyed items. 'Quebrado' usually implies a crack or a split.

Confusing 'arruinado' with 'quebrado'

The main confusion arises because 'quebrado' also means 'broken' physically. While both can mean financially ruined, 'arruinado' is more specifically tied to the legal or formal status of bankruptcy, whereas 'quebrado' can be a more general term for financial collapse.

Related Translations

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