Inklingo

How to Say "broke" in Spanish

English → Spanish

rompió

verbA1/B2
Use this word when referring to the past tense of 'to break' something physically, like an object or a record.

Examples

El niño rompió el juguete nuevo accidentalmente.

The child broke the new toy accidentally.

arruinado

/ah-rwee-NAH-doh//ar.rwiˈna.ðo/

adjectiveB1
Use this adjective to describe someone who is completely ruined financially, often due to a significant loss or misfortune.
A crumbling, ancient stone castle wall showing significant cracks and large pieces falling away, symbolizing complete destruction and ruin.

Examples

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.)

roto

ROH-toh/ˈro.to/

adjectiveB2informal
Use this adjective informally to mean that you have no money at the present moment, often for a short period.
A sad-looking ceramic piggy bank lying on its side, with the coin slot clearly empty, emphasizing financial destitution.

Examples

No puedo salir, estoy totalmente roto este mes.

I can't go out, I'm totally broke this month.

Después de la noticia, ella quedó rota, sin palabras.

After the news, she was devastated, speechless.

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.

limpio

LIM-pyoh/ˈlimpjo/

adjectiveB2informal slang
This is informal slang, meaning having no money at all, similar to 'flat broke'. It can also refer to net amounts after deductions.
A small, transparent glass jar holding a neat stack of five shiny gold coins, representing the net amount remaining after deductions.

Examples

El salario limpio es lo que recibes después de impuestos.

The net salary is what you receive after taxes.

El cirujano hizo un corte muy limpio.

The surgeon made a very clean (smooth, precise) cut.

Perdí mi cartera y ahora estoy limpio.

I lost my wallet and now I am broke.

Confusing Financial Ruin with Broken Objects

The most common mistake is using 'roto' or 'rompió' (related to breaking things) when you mean to say you have no money. Remember that 'arruinado' and 'roto' (as an adjective) specifically refer to financial destitution, while 'rompió' is for the act of breaking something.

Related Translations

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