Translation guide
The English word "broken" covers many meanings, from physical damage to abstract states. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by the intended meaning.
Describing objects, machines, or devices that are damaged and no longer work properly.
The most common and general word for something physically broken or out of order. It is the past tense of 壊れる (intransitive), used as an adjective.
この時計は壊れている。
This clock is broken.
I fixed the broken chair.
Specifically for machines, equipment, or systems that have malfunctioned. More formal than 壊れた.
エアコンが故障しています。
The air conditioner is broken.
Used when something brittle like glass, ceramics, or an egg is cracked or shattered.
窓ガラスが割れている。
The window glass is broken.
Used when something long and thin, like a stick, bone, or pencil, is snapped in two.
骨が折れているかもしれない。
The bone might be broken.
Formal term for damage or breakage, often used in official reports or product descriptions.
破損した商品は返品できます。
Broken items can be returned.
Describing lines, sleep, promises, records, etc., that are not whole or have been disrupted.
For something that was continuous but is now interrupted, like a line, conversation, or signal.
電話が途切れた。
The phone call got broken up.
雲の切れ間から月が見えた。
The moon appeared through a break in the clouds.
For something that was suspended or cut off, like a broadcast or event.
試合は雨で中断された。
The game was broken off due to rain.
Used for promises, rules, or agreements that have been violated.
約束が破られた。
The promise was broken.
For something that has ceased completely, like a tradition or communication.
連絡が途絶えた。
Communication has broken off.
Describing a person who is crushed, heartbroken, or mentally shattered.
Literally 'heart is broken', meaning to lose spirit or motivation. Very common in casual contexts.
何度も失敗して心が折れた。
I failed so many times I feel broken.
To be emotionally crushed or devastated, often by a severe setback.
彼はその知らせに打ちのめされた。
He was broken by the news.
Emotionally hurt or wounded, often used for personal relationships.
彼女はひどく傷ついている。
She is deeply broken.
Describing systems, processes, or institutions that are dysfunctional.
Literally 'not functioning', used for systems, organizations, or plans.
このシステムは完全に機能していない。
This system is completely broken.
For financial or organizational collapse, like a bankrupt company or failed plan.
会社が破綻した。
The company is broken (bankrupt).
Describing imperfect, halting, or non-fluent speech.
Used for broken or halting speech, especially by a non-native speaker or a child.
彼は片言の英語で話した。
He spoke in broken English.
Describes speech that is faltering or clumsy, often due to nervousness or lack of skill.
彼の日本語はまだたどたどしい。
His Japanese is still broken.
Describing uneven, rough, or rugged ground.
Literally 'with many undulations', used for hilly or uneven terrain.
その地域は起伏の多い地形だ。
The area has broken terrain.
Describes a bumpy or uneven surface, like a rough road.
でこぼこの道を歩いた。
We walked on broken ground.
English uses 'broken' metaphorically for many abstract states (e.g., broken system, broken heart). Direct translation with 壊れた is often unnatural. Use the specific expressions listed under each meaning.
壊れた is a general term for physical breakage. 故障した is specifically for mechanical or electronic malfunction. For a broken toy, use 壊れた; for a broken elevator, 故障した is more precise.
彼は片言の日本語を話した。
He spoke broken Japanese.
花瓶が割れている。
The vase is broken.