It isn't working. It´s broken... Está descompuesto

Question

Could you tell me more ways to say that something it isn't working? or that something is broken? The idea is está descompuesto, no funciona, no sirve

I mean "out of work" - AntMexico, Dec 13, 2010

out of work? that usually means a person who doesn't have a job - out of order for something that's not working :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 13, 2010

Oh yes! Out of order! You're right. - AntMexico, Dec 13, 2010

But a computer, car, watch etc... can never be out of order. Restroom, elevator, things that are public go out of order, never private items like a car. - jeezzle, Dec 13, 2010

that's true but for the example below - can I use your computer it depends on the setting. Home computer no but school or library computer, out of order could work. But I wasn't actually suggesting the use of 'out of order' just correcting 'out of work' - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 13, 2010

I know you weren't but I think he was thinking "out of order" for car etc.. - jeezzle, Dec 13, 2010

all good in the hood - I can't believe I was trying to give a Spanish answer, dopey me, gracias por tu ayuda :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 13, 2010

Answer 1

There are many ways to say "not working" in English, but broken is the most common. Another one is inoperable, but that's much less common.

There are many, many slang words and phrases:

crashed, on the fritz, fried, belly up, paws up, down, dead, on the blink, out of commission

I'm so sorry if I wasn't enough clear... but KevingB just got it perfectly :) - AntMexico, Dec 13, 2010

if I wasn't clear enough :) All good, next time I'll remember which language is your mother tongue lol :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 13, 2010

For another slang option, I always say "it's toast". - Stadt, Dec 13, 2010

Answer 2

Descompuesto is for a car is broken, roto is for a watch is broken, etc...... as far as I know.

Is broken, doesn't work, doesn't run (watch, car), stopped working, has given out, has died, no longer functions, "my car died today, it's finally given out, it's at the end of it's life and it doesn't run anymore. It no longer functions and I can kiss the sucker goodbye."

"Lacking duct tape" - KevinB, Dec 13, 2010

Muchas gracias mano :) - AntMexico, Dec 13, 2010

Answer 3

Just to give you something back I'll mention some ways to say that something is just out of order, that isn't working, etc.

1. Está inservible
2. No funciona
3. No trabaja
4. No jala
5. No hace nada
6. Ya tronó, ya valió (slang)

Ya chafeó (slang) - AntMexico, Dec 13, 2010

And there are too many vulgar ways that I can't post here however they're very usual. - AntMexico, Dec 13, 2010

¿no jala? what verb is that AF? - margaretbl, Dec 13, 2010

I often say "no sirve" - jeezzle, Dec 13, 2010

Answer 4

You could say "It is malfunctioning". I use that one a lot at work. My mother also used to use it when I was younger whenever my brother or myself would misbehave. She would say to us, "Hey! What's your malfunction?". I also say "busted", "messed up", and "jacked up", but those are slang terms.

Answer 5

Hmmm, ya empezamos con eso del idioma

Acabo de venir de Méjico y chico...para un español está descompuesto significa: he has the runs

ja ja :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 13, 2010

Pensé que eso fue está despuesto. Ahora entiendo lo que querías decir cuando dijiste que tuviste volver a aprender español o más bien tuviste que aprender mexicano. El único dialecto de español. digno de su propio diccionario. - BellaMargarita, Dec 13, 2010

Answer 6

Wouldn't descompuesto mean rotten, decaying in Spain? perhaps it would work in LA, what about no funciona? too basic?

The DRAE doesn't say it is a regional use, though:

descomponer

4. tr. Averiar, estropear, deteriorar. U. t. c. prnl.

5. prnl. Dicho de un organismo: Corromperse, entrar o hallarse en estado de putrefacción. U. t. c. tr.

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

In Spain I've only heard "descompuesto" with mechanical devices (like clocks) with loose parts. "No funciona" is fine, but it doesn't necessarily imply that it broke; simply that it doesn't work.

Answer 7

Deleted - I was sharing a NZ colloquialism for broken but as I've got myself into a little hot water lately using slang I thought I should look up it's etymology - bad idea! Hence the deletion, sometimes it's just better not to know I reckon.

Answer 8

Wouldn't descompuesto mean rotten, decaying in Spain? perhaps it would work in LA, what about no funciona? too basic?

destrozado maybe? - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 13, 2010

He is looking for English, he speaks spanish. - jeezzle, Dec 13, 2010

When we talk about stuff like machines it means "out of order" - AntMexico, Dec 13, 2010

Cars and watches and machines are never "out of order" unless they are public machines like at the post office. Your car is never out of order, it is broken, it no longer runs, it doesn't function. It won't turn over, it won't turn on. - jeezzle, Dec 13, 2010

ah what a dope, thanx Jeezle, sorry Antoine it must be the name I always think of you as French, sorry :( - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 13, 2010

Agradezco mucho tu pronta ayuda Kiwi Girl. - AntMexico, Dec 13, 2010

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 13, 2010

Answer 9

Tenía el rostro descompuesto.....

.... he looked very upset (which one looks more descompuesto? jeje) - margaretbl, Dec 13, 2010

Answer 10

My student book says: Key expressions,

1. Can I use your PC?
2. Sorry, you can't. It's broken