Inklingo

How to Say "faulty" in Spanish

English → Spanish

defectuoso

deh-fec-too-oh-sohdefekˈtwoso

adjectiveA2general
Use 'defectuoso' when referring to equipment, systems, or manufactured items that have an inherent flaw or defect preventing them from functioning as intended.
A colorful toy robot sitting on a floor with a missing arm and a loose wire.

Examples

El coche está defectuoso y necesita reparación.

The car is faulty and needs repair.

El juguete está defectuoso y no hace nada.

The toy is defective and doesn't do anything.

He devuelto la lavadora porque venía defectuosa de fábrica.

I returned the washing machine because it was faulty from the factory.

Su razonamiento es defectuoso porque parte de una mentira.

His reasoning is flawed because it starts from a lie.

Matching the Ending

Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match what you are describing: use 'defectuoso' for masculine things (el coche) and 'defectuosa' for feminine things (la silla).

Using 'Estar' vs 'Ser'

We usually use 'estar' when a specific item happens to be broken (Este radio está defectuoso). We use 'ser' if we are talking about a characteristic of a whole type or model (Ese modelo de coche es defectuoso).

Confusing 'Roto' with 'Defectuoso'

Mistake: “Using 'roto' to mean a factory error.”

Correction: Use 'roto' if something was physically smashed or broken after use; use 'defectuoso' if it was made wrong or doesn't work correctly due to a technical flaw.

fallado

fah-YAH-dohfaˈʎaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'fallado' specifically when referring to equipment or products that have stopped working or have failed, often implying a breakdown rather than an initial defect.
A broken wooden toy wagon with one wheel completely detached and lying on the ground next to it.

Examples

El electrodoméstico fallado fue devuelto a la tienda.

The faulty appliance was returned to the store.

Devolvimos el producto fallado a la tienda.

We returned the faulty product to the store.

Fue un intento fallado de reconciliación.

It was a failed attempt at reconciliation.

Ella no quiere usar la impresora fallada.

She doesn't want to use the defective printer.

Agreement is Key

When 'fallado' is used as an adjective (describing a noun), it must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'fallado' (masc. sing.), 'fallada' (fem. sing.), 'fallados' (masc. plural), 'falladas' (fem. plural).

Choosing Between 'Defectuoso' and 'Fallado'

Learners often confuse 'defectuoso' and 'fallado'. Remember that 'defectuoso' typically describes something with a flaw from the start, while 'fallado' implies something that has failed or broken down during use.

Related Translations

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