A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "This is broken" in Italian
Learn to say 'This is broken' in Italian for shopping or everyday situations. Essential for pointing out defects.
Questo è rotto.
KWES-toh eh ROT-tohneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when an item you've just bought, or are looking at, is damaged or not working. For example, if a shirt has a tear or a gadget won't switch on.
Alternatives
- È rotto.Use when the item is already clear from context.
- Non funziona.Better for items that don't operate, like electronics.
Ways to get it wrong
Rotto vs. Rutto
Make sure to pronounce the double 't' clearly; 'rutto' means 'burp'.
Pronouncing 'Questo'
The 'qu' is like 'kw', not 'kuh'.
A small cultural note
Italians are generally quite direct when pointing out a fault, so don't hesitate to use this phrase if something is genuinely wrong.
Frequently asked
How to say 'this is broken' for clothes?
You can say 'Questo è rotto' or more specifically 'Questa maglietta è rotta' (This t-shirt is broken/torn). The adjective agrees in gender with the noun.
What if the item is not working but not physically broken?
Use 'Non funziona' (It doesn't work). This is common for appliances or electronics.
Is 'Questo è rotto' polite enough for a shop?
Yes, it's a standard and direct way to state a problem. You can soften it with 'Mi scusi, questo è rotto' (Excuse me, this is broken).
