A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "The zipper is broken" in Spanish
Learn how to say 'the zipper is broken' in Spanish to handle clothing mishaps while shopping.
La cremallera está rota.
lah kreh-mah-YEH-rah ehs-TAH RROH-tahneutral
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Use this phrase when you're trying on clothes in a store and discover the zipper won't budge or has come apart. It's also useful if you buy something and later realize the zipper is defective.
Alternatives
- El cierre está roto.This is also very common, especially in Spain.
- El zíper está descompuesto.This is a more technical way to say it's not working.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'roto' with 'rotten'
'Roto' means broken, not spoiled or decayed.
Using 'quebrado'
While 'quebrado' means broken, 'roto' is more natural for zippers and clothing.
A small cultural note
In some regions, 'cierre' might be more common than 'cremallera' for zipper. Both are widely understood.
Frequently asked
what is cremallera in english
Cremallera is the Spanish word for zipper. It's the most common term in many Latin American countries.
how to say zipper is stuck in spanish
You could say 'La cremallera está atascada' or 'La cremallera no sube/baja' (the zipper won't go up/down).
is zipper male or female in spanish
The word 'cremallera' is feminine, so you use 'la cremallera'. 'Cierre' is masculine, so it's 'el cierre'.
