Inklingo

How to Say "shattered" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “shattered” is “roto” — use this for physical objects that are broken, especially fragile items like glass or electronics.

English → Spanish

roto

ROH-tohˈro.to

AdjectiveA1General
Use this for physical objects that are broken, especially fragile items like glass or electronics.
A white ceramic plate lying on a wooden surface, clearly shattered into three large, distinct pieces.

Examples

Mi teléfono está roto; se cayó de la mesa.

My phone is broken; it fell off the table.

Compré una camisa con el cuello roto.

I bought a shirt with a torn collar.

¿Puedes arreglar la silla? Tiene una pata rota.

Can you fix the chair? It has a broken leg.

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.

Missing Gender Agreement

Mistake: “La ventana es roto.”

Correction: La ventana está rota. ('Ventana' is feminine, so use 'rota'.)

rompió

VerbA1General
This is the past tense verb form used when something (like glass or ceramic) was broken by an action.

Examples

El niño rompió el juguete nuevo accidentalmente.

The child broke the new toy accidentally.

pedazos

peh-DAH-sospeˈða.θos

NounB1Informal
Use this informal expression to describe being physically or emotionally wrecked, often from exhaustion.
A simple cartoon figure sitting alone on a wooden bench, hunched over with their head in their hands, conveying deep sadness and emotional distress.

Examples

Después de correr la maratón, estaba hecho pedazos.

After running the marathon, I was totally exhausted/wrecked.

La crítica hizo pedazos su nueva novela.

The review tore her new novel to shreds (destroyed it completely).

Me sentí hecha pedazos cuando se fue.

I felt shattered/broken when he left.

Using 'Hecho'

In the common phrase 'estar hecho pedazos,' notice that 'hecho' (made) must match the gender of the person speaking ('hecho' for masculine, 'hecha' for feminine), even though 'pedazos' is masculine plural.

destrozado

des-tro-ZAH-dohdes.tɾoˈθa.ðo

AdjectiveB2Colloquial
Use this when someone is extremely tired or worn out, often after a difficult physical or emotional experience.
A simple, stylized human figure sitting alone, hunched over and weeping intensely, conveying deep emotional devastation.

Examples

Estaba destrozado después de perder el partido final.

He was devastated after losing the final match.

Llegué a casa totalmente destrozada tras doce horas de trabajo.

I arrived home totally shattered (exhausted) after twelve hours of work.

devastado

deh-bahs-TAH-dohdeβasˈtaðo

AdjectiveB2General
Choose this when describing someone who is deeply emotionally broken or grief-stricken by bad news or a tragedy.
A sad character sitting alone on a small wooden bench with their head down in their hands.

Examples

Juan quedó devastado cuando supo la noticia del accidente.

Juan was devastated when he heard the news about the accident.

Me siento devastada por la pérdida de mi mejor amiga.

I feel devastated by the loss of my best friend.

La familia está devastada y pide privacidad.

The family is devastated and asks for privacy.

Changing the Ending

Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match the person. Use 'devastado' for a man and 'devastada' for a woman.

Using it with 'Quedar'

In Spanish, we often use the word 'quedar' (to stay/remain) with this word to show how someone was left feeling after a big event.

Don't use 'Ser'

Mistake: “Él es devastado.”

Correction: Él está devastado (or 'quedó devastado'). We use 'estar' because we are describing a state or a feeling, not a permanent character trait.

hecha

AY-chahˈe.tʃa

AdjectiveB2Informal
This is a colloquial, feminine form used to express extreme exhaustion, similar to 'hecha polvo' (made dust).
A small, friendly cartoon dog lying completely flat on its back on a grassy field, panting slightly with its eyes closed, appearing completely physically drained.

Examples

Después de correr la maratón, estaba hecha polvo.

After running the marathon, she was absolutely exhausted (made dust).

Tras la noticia, su moral estaba hecha trizas.

After the news, her morale was shattered (made shreds).

Fixed Idioms

These phrases are fixed expressions. You must use 'estar' and ensure 'hecha' agrees with the subject (e.g., 'Yo estoy hecha polvo' if the speaker is female).

Emotional vs. Physical Shattered

Learners often confuse the emotional states ('devastado', 'destrozado') with physical breakage ('roto', 'rompió'). Remember that 'roto' and 'rompió' are for objects, while the others describe feelings or extreme exhaustion.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.