estropeado
Lemma Details
Translation: damaged; broken; spoiled; ruined; malfunctioning
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from the verb 'estropear', which comes from Italian 'stroppiare' (to cripple, to maim). The Italian term evolved from Vulgar Latin 'extorpidare' (to make torpid or numb), a combination of Latin 'ex' (out) and 'torpidus' (torpid, numb). The English cognate 'torpid' shares this Latin root, both conveying a sense of impaired function.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 20%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El televisor está estropeado desde ayer.
The television has been broken since yesterday.
La leche estropeada huele muy mal.
The spoiled milk smells very bad.
Tengo el coche estropeado y necesito llevarlo al taller.
My car is broken down and I need to take it to the garage.
La lluvia estropeó la fiesta.
The rain ruined the party.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'estropeado' as something that has been 'stopped' from working properly.
- Associate with 'trope' + 'ado' - like a common trope or pattern that has been altered or damaged.
- Picture something that has been 'trampled' (sounds similar) and thus damaged.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
Widely used in everyday Spanish to describe anything from broken appliances to spoiled food. The term is slightly more formal than 'roto' (broken) and can imply a more complex type of damage or malfunction.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both mean 'broken', 'estropeado' typically implies malfunction or damage that may be repairable, while 'roto' more specifically means physically broken or snapped.
Notes: 'Estropeado' is often used for electronic or mechanical failures, while 'roto' is more common for physical breakage.
Mnemonic: 'Estropeado' has more letters, suggesting a more complex problem than simply 'roto'.
Explanation: 'Estropeado' implies something is broken or not functioning, while 'deteriorado' suggests gradual wear and tear or decline in condition.
Confused word:
La fachada del edificio está deteriorada por el paso del tiempo.
The building's facade has deteriorated over time.
Notes: 'Deteriorado' often implies a natural process, while 'estropeado' can suggest sudden damage.
Mnemonic: Think of 'deteriorado' as 'de-terior-ado' - related to 'inferior' quality over time.