Gebrochen means broken in a physical sense. It refers to something that has been fractured, split, or cracked.
* Examples:
* "Die Vase ist gebrochen." (The vase is broken.)
* "Mein Arm ist gebrochen." (My arm is broken.)
Kaputt means broken or damaged in a more general sense. It implies that something is no longer functional or in working order. It can be used for both physical and non-physical things.
* Examples:
* "Der Fernseher ist kaputt." (The TV is broken.)
* "Mein Plan ist kaputt." (My plan is ruined.)
* "Die Beziehung ist kaputt." (The relationship is broken.)
Here's a breakdown of their differences:
| Feature | Gebrochen | Kaputt |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Physically broken | Damaged or non-functional |
| Usage | Primarily for physical objects | For both physical and abstract things |
| Example | A broken leg | A broken heart |
In essence:
* "Gebrochen" describes a physical fracture or split.
* "Kaputt" describes a broader state of being unusable or ruined.
While "kaputt" can be used for something that is physically broken, "gebrochen" can't be used for something that is merely damaged or out of order.