A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "This is broken" in French
Use 'C'est cassé' to tell a shopkeeper that an item you're buying or have bought is broken.
C'est cassé.
seh ka-SAYneutral
French TTS · 0:01
You've picked up an item in a shop and noticed it's damaged, or you've just bought something and realized it doesn't work. You'd point to the item and say this to the salesperson.
Alternatives
- Il est cassé.Use when referring to a masculine noun specifically.
- Elle est cassée.Use when referring to a feminine noun specifically.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'cassé' like 'cash-ay'
The 'ss' is like an 's' sound, and the final 'é' is like the 'ay' in 'say'.
Forgetting the 't' in 'C'est'
The 't' in 'C'est' is pronounced, linking the 's' sound to the vowel.
A small cultural note
French shops are generally good quality, so pointing out a broken item is less common than in some other cultures. Be polite and clear.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say 'this is broken' for clothes?
If it's a specific item like a shirt, you'd say 'Cette chemise est cassée.' If it's just generally broken, 'C'est cassé' still works.
What if the item is just scratched?
For a scratch, you might say 'Il y a une rayure' (There's a scratch) or 'C'est rayé' (It's scratched).
Can I say 'C'est brisé'?
'Brisé' is also correct for broken, but 'cassé' is more common for everyday objects and general damage.
