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B1 adjective 9 Min. Lesezeit

roto

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Erklärung roto in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'roto' in its most basic form: describing clothes with holes. Think of it as a simple label. If you see a hole in your sock, you say 'A meia está rota.' If your shoe has a hole, you say 'O sapato está roto.' You should focus on the fact that the word changes for masculine (roto) and feminine (rota). At this stage, do not worry about metaphorical meanings. Just use it to describe physical objects that are visibly damaged. It is a very useful word for basic needs, such as telling someone you need new clothes or explaining why you cannot wear something. You will mostly use it with the verb 'estar' (to be) because being torn is usually a state that happened over time, not a permanent part of what the object is. Practice simple sentences like 'O meu casaco é velho e está roto.' This helps you combine basic adjectives with 'roto'.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'roto' in slightly more complex sentences and begin to recognize it in plural forms: 'rotos' and 'rotas.' You should be able to describe not just one item, but several, such as 'Estes sapatos estão rotos.' You can also begin to use the word with 'ficar' (to become) to describe how something got damaged: 'As minhas calças ficaram rotas no parque' (My pants got torn in the park). At this level, you should also be able to distinguish 'roto' from 'velho' (old). Something can be old but not torn, and something can be new but torn because of an accident. Being able to combine these descriptions adds detail to your speaking. You might also encounter the word in simple stories or descriptions of people's appearance. Remember to keep the focus on physical objects like clothing, bags, and fabrics, as this is where the word is most common in daily life.

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As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'roto' in a variety of everyday contexts and start understanding its idiomatic uses. You should know the difference between 'roto' and 'rasgado'—where 'roto' often implies wear and tear while 'rasgado' implies a specific act of tearing. This is also the level where you should learn the proverb 'o roto a falar do nu' (the pot calling the kettle black). Understanding this idiom shows a deeper grasp of Portuguese culture. You can also use 'roto' more figuratively, such as 'uma vida rota' (a broken/hard life), although this is more common in literature. You should be able to use the word in the shoemaker's or the tailor's to explain exactly what needs fixing. Your grammar should be consistent, always matching the gender and number of the noun perfectly without thinking too much about it. You can also start using adverbs of degree, like 'completamente roto' or 'um pouco roto'.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance of 'roto' as a past participle of the verb 'romper,' even if 'rompido' is more common today. You will encounter 'roto' in more formal or literary texts where it might describe abstract concepts like 'acordos rotos' (broken agreements) or 'promessas rotas' (broken promises). At this stage, you should be able to discuss the word's usage across different Lusophone countries, noting that while it is common in Portugal, it is less frequent in Brazil, where 'furado' or 'rasgado' is preferred. Your ability to switch between 'roto,' 'esfarrapado,' and 'danificado' depending on the register (formal vs. informal) should be developing. You can use 'roto' to add color to your descriptions, perhaps in a creative writing piece or a detailed explanation of a social issue like poverty, where 'vestes rotas' (ragged clothes) serves as a powerful image.

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At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated command of 'roto.' You can appreciate its use in classical Portuguese literature, where it often carries a heavy emotional or social weight. You understand that 'roto' can imply a sense of 'exhaustion' or 'being spent' beyond just physical tearing. You can use it in complex metaphorical constructions, such as describing a 'sistema roto' (a broken system) that is failing its citizens. You are also aware of the etymological roots of the word (from the Latin 'ruptus') and how it relates to other words like 'ruptura' (rupture) and 'interromper' (to interrupt). In conversation, you can use the word with subtle irony or within complex proverbs and wordplay. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, including the correct prosody and the ability to choose it over synonyms to achieve a specific stylistic effect.

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At the C2 level, 'roto' is a tool you use with precision and artistry. You can analyze its use in the works of great Portuguese authors like Eça de Queirós or Fernando Pessoa, where the word might be used to define the social standing or psychological state of a character. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its place within the broader Romance language family (comparing it to Spanish 'roto', which is used much more broadly for 'broken'). You can engage in academic discussions about linguistic variation and the survival of archaic past participles as independent adjectives. Whether you are writing a technical report on textile durability or a poetic reflection on the passage of time, you know exactly when 'roto' is the most evocative and accurate choice. You can also manipulate the word in puns or high-level rhetorical devices, fully aware of all its historical and cultural baggage.

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roto in 30 Sekunden

Roto primarily means 'torn' or 'having holes,' specifically referring to clothing, shoes, or fabric that has been worn out over time.
It is a standard adjective that must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (roto, rota, rotos, rotas).
It is most commonly used with the verb 'estar' to describe the current damaged state of an object.
A key cultural use is in the proverb 'o roto a falar do nu,' which criticizes hypocrisy.

The Portuguese word roto is an adjective primarily used to describe something that is torn, worn out, or has holes in it, typically referring to fabric, clothing, or footwear. While its most literal translation is 'torn' or 'ragged,' it carries a specific nuance of being damaged through extensive use or neglect. In a broader sense, it can also imply something that is broken or no longer functional, though in modern European Portuguese, it is most frequently associated with the state of one's garments. For English speakers, it is helpful to think of 'roto' as the state of a sock with a hole in the toe or a pair of jeans that has worn through at the knees. It is a common, everyday word that you will encounter in both domestic settings and informal social interactions.

Physical Condition: Refers to items that have suffered a rupture or a tear, rendering them imperfect or unusable in their current state.

Eu não posso usar este sapato porque ele está roto na sola.

Beyond the physical, 'roto' can appear in metaphorical contexts. In literature or more expressive speech, a person might be described as 'roto' to suggest they are exhausted, broken-spirited, or living in extreme poverty (wearing rags). However, the most frequent contemporary use remains the literal one. It is important to distinguish 'roto' from 'rasgado.' While both can mean 'torn,' 'rasgado' often implies a sudden act of tearing (like a paper being ripped), whereas 'roto' implies a state of being worn out or having developed a hole over time. If you catch your sleeve on a nail, it is 'rasgado'; if your favorite old shirt finally develops a hole in the elbow, it is 'roto'.

Social Context: Using 'roto' can sometimes sound slightly informal or blunt, especially when describing someone else's appearance. It is better used for objects than for people unless you are using a specific idiom.

As calças dele ficaram rotas depois da queda de bicicleta.

Understanding the versatility of 'roto' also involves recognizing its role in the famous Portuguese proverb 'o roto a falar do nu' (the ragged one talking about the naked one), which is the equivalent of the English 'the pot calling the kettle black.' This highlights how the word is embedded in the cultural psyche to represent a state of deficiency or imperfection that people often overlook in themselves while criticizing others. Whether you are talking about a broken promise ('promessa rota') or a torn pocket ('bolso roto'), this word is essential for describing the wear and tear of daily life.

Using roto correctly requires attention to gender and number agreement, as it is a standard Portuguese adjective. It changes its ending to match the noun it modifies: roto (masculine singular), rota (feminine singular), rotos (masculine plural), and rotas (feminine plural). Because it usually describes a state resulting from an action or wear, it is most frequently paired with the verb estar (to be - temporary state) rather than ser (to be - permanent characteristic).

Agreement Rules: Always check the noun. 'O casaco está roto' but 'A blusa está rota'.

Estes lençóis já estão muito velhos e rotos.

When placing 'roto' in a sentence, it typically follows the noun it describes. For example, 'uma meia rota' (a torn sock). Placing it before the noun is rare and usually reserved for poetic or highly stylized prose, where it might emphasize the pathetic or wretched nature of the object. In everyday conversation, keep it after the noun or after the verb 'estar'. You might also see it used with 'ficar' (to become/to end up), as in 'As minhas calças ficaram rotas no trabalho' (My pants got torn at work).

Common Pairings: Commonly used with: sapatos (shoes), meias (socks), bolsos (pockets), and calças (trousers).

Cuidado com esse degrau, podes ficar com o vestido roto.

In more advanced usage, 'roto' can describe non-physical things that are failed or disrupted. For instance, 'um acordo roto' implies a broken agreement. However, for a learner at the B1 level, focusing on the physical aspect of clothing and fabrics is the most practical approach. It allows you to express needs (e.g., needing to buy new clothes) or explain accidents (e.g., why you are late or look disheveled). Remember: if there is a hole caused by wear, 'roto' is your best choice.

You will most likely hear roto in domestic environments or informal social circles in Portugal. It is the word a mother says to a child who comes home with holes in their knees: 'Olha como tens as calças, todas rotas!' (Look at your pants, all torn!). It is also frequently heard at the shoemaker's (sapateiro) or a seamstress's (costureira) when describing an item that needs repair. If you are shopping for vintage clothes, you might hear a seller point out a small defect by saying it is 'um bocadinho roto' (a little bit torn).

Everyday Dialogue: Used when checking clothes before going out or when doing laundry.

- Mãe, não encontro as minhas meias azuis. - Deitei-as fora, estavam rotas.

In literature and Fado music (the traditional soulful music of Portugal), 'roto' takes on a more melancholic tone. It might describe the 'destino roto' (broken fate) of a character or the 'corpo roto' (worn-out body) of a laborer. In these contexts, it evokes a sense of exhaustion and the toll that life takes on a person. It is a powerful word because it connects the mundane (a hole in a sock) with the profound (a life worn thin by hardship).

The Shoemaker Context: 'O senhor consegue consertar este sapato? Está roto na frente.'

O mendigo caminhava pela rua com um casaco roto e sujo.

Finally, you might encounter the word in news reports or social commentary when discussing poverty or economic crisis. Terms like 'bolsos rotos' (torn pockets) are used metaphorically to describe a lack of money or a failing economy where wealth 'leaks out.' While the word is simple, its applications range from the laundry room to the national parliament, making it a vital piece of vocabulary for any student of the Portuguese language who wishes to understand the nuances of European Portuguese specifically.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using roto to mean 'broken' in the sense of a mechanical failure or a shattered object. In English, we might say a phone is 'broken' or a window is 'broken.' In Portuguese, if you say a phone is 'roto,' a native speaker will visualize the phone having a hole or the plastic being worn away, which isn't what you mean. For mechanical or electronic failure, use avariado or estragado. For something shattered like glass, use partido or quebrado.

Roto vs. Partido: Use 'roto' for soft materials (cloth, leather). Use 'partido' for hard materials (glass, wood, plastic).

Errado: O meu telemóvel está roto. (Unless the screen is physically torn? No.) Correto: O meu telemóvel está estragado.

Another mistake is confusing 'roto' with 'rasgado.' While often interchangeable, 'roto' emphasizes the *state* of having a hole, often due to wear and tear. 'Rasgado' emphasizes the *action* of tearing. If you cut your pants with scissors, they are 'rasgadas.' If you've worn them for ten years and they develop a hole, they are 'rotas.' Using 'roto' for a clean cut might sound slightly off to a native ear, though it is generally understood.

Regional Variation: In Brazil, 'roto' is much less common in speech. If you use it there, people might find it old-fashioned or overly literary. Stick to 'furado' or 'rasgado' in Brazil.

Errado: A janela está rota. Correto: A janela está partida.

Lastly, watch out for the plural forms. Many learners forget to change 'roto' to 'rotos' when talking about multiple items, like 'sapatos' or 'meias.' Because the 'o' in 'roto' is closed in the masculine singular but often opens up in the plural in some regional accents (though less so than words like 'ovo'), pay attention to how locals pronounce it. Consistency in agreement is the hallmark of a B1 learner moving toward B2 proficiency.

When you want to describe something damaged or worn, roto is just one of several options. Depending on the intensity and the material, you might choose a different word to be more precise. Understanding these nuances will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and sophisticated. Let's look at the most common alternatives and how they compare to 'roto'.

Rasgado vs. Roto: 'Rasgado' implies a tear, often a long one, caused by force. 'Roto' implies a hole or a state of being worn out. You 'rasga' a piece of paper; your old socks become 'rotas'.

O papel está rasgado, mas o sapato está roto.

Another common alternative is furado. This literally means 'holed' or 'with a hole.' In Brazil, 'furado' is the preferred term for socks or shirts with holes. In Portugal, both are used, but 'roto' is very common. Then there is esfarrapado, which means 'tattered' or 'in rags.' This is a much stronger word than 'roto' and suggests something that is falling apart into many small pieces (farrapos). If someone is 'esfarrapado,' they look very poor or have been through a major struggle.

Gasto vs. Roto: 'Gasto' means 'worn' or 'spent.' A carpet might be 'gasto' (the fibers are thin) before it actually becomes 'roto' (develops a hole).

Este tapete está muito gasto, em breve ficará roto.

Finally, consider danificado (damaged). This is a more formal and general term. It can be used for anything from a car to a document. While 'roto' is specific to the type of damage (tearing/wearing), 'danificado' covers any kind of harm. If you are filing an insurance claim, you would use 'danificado.' If you are complaining to your friend about your old sneakers, you use 'roto.' Choosing the right synonym depends entirely on whether you want to be specific, formal, or emphatic.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'roto' shares the same ancestor as the English word 'rupture' and 'bankrupt' (banca rota).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈʁo.tu/

US /ˈho.tu/

The stress is on the first syllable: RO-to.

Reimt sich auf

garoto esgoto voto devoto remoto piloto canhoto terramoto

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the final 'o' as a full English 'oh'. In Portuguese, it should be a short 'u'.
Using an English 'r' sound (liquid) instead of the Portuguese guttural 'r'.
Opening the first 'o' too much. It should be closed like in 'boat'.
Confusing the pronunciation with the Spanish 'roto', which has a trilled 'r' and an open 'o'.
Forgetting to change the pronunciation slightly for the feminine 'rota' (where the 'a' is a schwa-like sound).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, especially with clothing context.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires correct gender and number agreement.

Sprechen 3/5

Initial 'r' sound and closed 'o' can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 2/5

Clear sound, usually easy to distinguish from context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

roupa velho estar meias calças

Als Nächstes lernen

rasgado furado remendar coser estragado

Fortgeschritten

ruptura interromper esfarrapado deteriorado bancarrota

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective Agreement

O bolso (m) roto / A meia (f) rota.

Temporary state with 'estar'

O casaco está roto (it happened/is a state).

Position of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'um sapato roto'.

Pluralization

Add -s for plural: 'meias rotas'.

Past Participle as Adjective

Irregular past participle of 'romper' is 'roto'.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

O meu sapato está roto.

My shoe is torn/has a hole.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state and masculine agreement.

A tua meia está rota?

Is your sock torn?

Feminine singular agreement with 'meia'.

Eu tenho um casaco roto.

I have a torn jacket.

Adjective follows the noun 'casaco'.

As calças não estão rotas.

The pants are not torn.

Plural feminine agreement with 'calças'.

Onde está o lençol roto?

Where is the torn sheet?

Masculine singular agreement.

Esta camisa é velha e rota.

This shirt is old and torn.

Two adjectives modifying 'camisa'.

Os meus bolsos estão rotos.

My pockets are torn.

Masculine plural agreement.

Não uses esse vestido roto.

Don't wear that torn dress.

Imperative negative with 'roto'.

As sapatilhas ficaram rotas depois do jogo.

The sneakers got torn after the game.

Uses 'ficar' to indicate a change of state.

Ele traz sempre os sapatos rotos.

He always wears torn shoes.

Verb 'trazer' used in the sense of 'wearing'.

A minha mãe cozeu a minha meia rota.

My mother sewed my torn sock.

Past tense of 'coser' (to sew).

Não quero comprar calças que já vêm rotas.

I don't want to buy pants that already come torn.

Relative clause 'que já vêm rotas'.

O cão deixou o tapete todo roto.

The dog left the carpet all torn.

Adverb 'todo' used for emphasis.

É perigoso andar com pneus rotos.

It is dangerous to drive with worn-out/torn tires.

Adjective describing a technical part (less common but possible).

Encontrei uma mochila rota no lixo.

I found a torn backpack in the trash.

Feminine singular agreement.

Porque é que o teu chapéu está roto?

Why is your hat torn?

Interrogative sentence.

É o roto a falar do nu; tu também te esqueceste do livro.

It's the pot calling the kettle black; you also forgot the book.

Use of the famous Portuguese proverb.

Aquele guarda-chuva está tão roto que já não protege nada.

That umbrella is so torn that it doesn't protect anything anymore.

Consecutive clause 'tão... que'.

Apesar de estar roto, este é o meu casaco preferido.

Despite being torn, this is my favorite jacket.

Concessive construction with 'Apesar de'.

O bolso estava roto e as moedas caíram todas.

The pocket was torn and the coins all fell out.

Narrative sequence in the past.

Não podes ir à entrevista com os sapatos rotos.

You can't go to the interview with torn shoes.

Prepositional phrase 'com os sapatos rotos'.

A rede da baliza está rota e a bola passou por fora.

The goal net is torn and the ball went through it.

Technical use for sports equipment.

Ele vive de forma humilde, com roupas velhas e rotas.

He lives humbly, with old and ragged clothes.

Plural feminine agreement.

Se o sofá continuar roto, temos de comprar um novo.

If the sofa stays torn, we have to buy a new one.

Conditional 'se' sentence.

O acordo comercial ficou roto após as negociações falhadas.

The trade agreement was broken after the failed negotiations.

Metaphorical use of 'roto' for abstract concepts.

Caminhava com um ar roto, como se carregasse o mundo nos ombros.

He walked with a worn-out air, as if carrying the world on his shoulders.

Adjective describing a person's demeanor/appearance.

As velas da embarcação estavam rotas devido à tempestade.

The ship's sails were torn due to the storm.

Nautical context.

É uma promessa rota que nunca chegará a ser cumprida.

It is a broken promise that will never be fulfilled.

Abstract noun modification.

O autor descreve a pobreza através de personagens de sapatos rotos.

The author describes poverty through characters with torn shoes.

Literary analysis context.

A economia do país está com os bolsos rotos.

The country's economy has 'torn pockets' (is bankrupt/leaking money).

Economic metaphor.

A tenda ficou rota com o vento forte da montanha.

The tent got torn by the strong mountain wind.

Cause and effect with 'ficar'.

Não aceitamos devoluções de artigos que estejam rotos pelo uso.

We do not accept returns of items that are torn from use.

Subjunctive mood 'estejam' after 'que'.

A narrativa de sotaque roto revelava a sua origem estrangeira.

The broken-accented narrative revealed his foreign origin.

Very advanced metaphorical use describing speech.

Sentia a alma rota, fragmentada por anos de desilusões.

He felt his soul was torn, fragmented by years of disillusionment.

High literary style.

O tecido social parece cada vez mais roto e difícil de remendar.

The social fabric seems increasingly torn and difficult to mend.

Sociological metaphor.

Apresentou um discurso roto, sem nexo nem continuidade.

He presented a broken speech, without logic or continuity.

Describing the quality of communication.

O manuscrito, roto e amarelado, guardava segredos centenários.

The manuscript, torn and yellowed, kept century-old secrets.

Historical/Archival context.

A sua dignidade não estava rota, apesar da miséria em que vivia.

His dignity was not broken, despite the misery in which he lived.

Contrast between physical state and internal state.

As memórias rotas de infância surgiam como clarões na sua mente.

The fragmented memories of childhood appeared like flashes in his mind.

Abstract usage for psychological states.

O projeto nasceu roto, condenado ao fracasso desde o primeiro dia.

The project was born broken, condemned to failure from day one.

Idiomatic expression for inherent failure.

A ontologia do ser, nesta obra, é apresentada como uma existência rota.

The ontology of being, in this work, is presented as a broken existence.

Academic/Philosophical register.

O fado canta a dor de um coração roto pela saudade.

Fado sings the pain of a heart torn by longing.

Cultural/Poetic context.

O tratado internacional é agora um pergaminho roto, sem valor jurídico.

The international treaty is now a torn parchment, without legal value.

Diplomatic/Legal metaphor.

A tessitura da peça é propositadamente rota para evocar o caos.

The texture of the piece is intentionally broken to evoke chaos.

Art criticism register.

Sob a capa de luxo, escondia-se um espírito roto e mesquinho.

Under the luxury cloak, a broken and petty spirit was hidden.

Moral/Ethical commentary.

A dialética entre o novo e o roto define a estética do autor.

The dialectic between the new and the broken defines the author's aesthetic.

Literary theory context.

As instituições, rotas pela corrupção, necessitam de reforma urgente.

The institutions, broken by corruption, need urgent reform.

Political science context.

O tempo, esse tecelão roto, vai desfazendo as nossas certezas.

Time, that broken weaver, goes undoing our certainties.

Metaphysical personification.

Häufige Kollokationen

sapatos rotos

meias rotas

bolso roto

calças rotas

estar roto

ficar roto

completamente roto

tecido roto

vestido roto

lençol roto

Häufige Phrasen

Estar com os sapatos rotos

— To have holes in one's shoes. Often implies being poor or careless.

Ele está com os sapatos rotos, coitado.

Ter o bolso roto

— To have a hole in the pocket. Literally or metaphorically losing money.

Cuidado, tens o bolso roto e vais perder o dinheiro.

Falar do roto o nu

— The pot calling the kettle black. Criticizing someone for a flaw you also have.

Dizes que eu sou preguiçoso? É o roto a falar do nu!

Andar roto

— To walk around in torn clothes. Suggests a state of disrepair.

Não podes andar roto por aí, o que as pessoas vão pensar?

Ficar com as calças rotas

— To end up with torn pants. Usually after a fall.

Caí da bicicleta e fiquei com as calças rotas.

Meia rota

— A torn sock. A very common domestic annoyance.

Outra meia rota! Preciso de comprar novas.

Coração roto

— Broken heart. Poetic way to describe emotional pain.

Ele ficou de coração roto depois da partida dela.

Pneu roto

— Torn/burst tire. Used when the rubber is shredded.

Tivemos de parar o carro por causa de um pneu roto.

Promessa rota

— Broken promise. Used in literary or formal contexts.

Viver de promessas rotas é triste.

Vida rota

— Hard life. Describing a life that is worn out by suffering.

A sua vida rota era visível no seu rosto.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

roto vs rota

Can mean 'route' (noun) or 'torn' (feminine adjective).

roto vs partido

Means 'broken' for hard objects like glass, not fabric.

roto vs roto (Spanish)

In Spanish, 'roto' is the general word for 'broken' (e.g., a broken toy), but in Portuguese, it's specific to tearing.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"O roto a falar do nu"

— Criticizing others for faults that the critic also possesses. It implies hypocrisy.

Ele critica o meu atraso, mas ele chega sempre mais tarde. É o roto a falar do nu!

informal/colloquial

"Bolsos rotos"

— Being broke or unable to save money because it 'leaks' out.

Este mês estou de bolsos rotos, não posso ir ao cinema.

informal

"Sapatos rotos, alma sã"

— Torn shoes, healthy soul. A saying suggesting that material poverty doesn't mean spiritual poverty.

Não te preocupes com o que vestes; sapatos rotos, alma sã.

literary/folk

"Dormir em lençóis rotos"

— To live in extreme poverty.

Depois da falência, ele acabou a dormir em lençóis rotos.

literary

"Caminho roto"

— A broken or difficult path/life journey.

Ele escolheu um caminho roto para o sucesso.

poetic

"Voz rota"

— A broken or cracked voice, usually from emotion or age.

Com voz rota, ele despediu-se de todos.

literary

"Remendar o roto"

— To try to fix something that is fundamentally broken or failing.

Tentar salvar este casamento é apenas remendar o roto.

figurative

"Destino roto"

— A tragic or broken fate.

Ninguém escapa ao seu destino roto.

poetic

"Fado roto"

— A torn destiny (often used in Fado song lyrics).

Canto o meu fado roto nas noites de Lisboa.

cultural

"Manta rota"

— A tattered blanket; metaphor for a poor defense or excuse.

A tua desculpa é uma manta rota que não convence ninguém.

figurative

Leicht verwechselbar

roto vs rasgado

Both mean 'torn'.

'Rasgado' is the result of a rip; 'roto' is the state of having a hole or being worn out.

O papel foi rasgado, mas a meia está rota.

roto vs quebrado

Both mean 'broken' in a broad sense.

'Quebrado' is for mechanical things or hard materials; 'roto' is for textiles.

O vidro está quebrado; o casaco está roto.

roto vs furado

Both mean 'holed'.

'Furado' is more common in Brazil; 'roto' is more common in Portugal.

No Brasil dizem meia furada, em Portugal meia rota.

roto vs gasto

Worn items are often torn.

'Gasto' means thin or used; 'roto' means there is an actual hole.

O tapete está gasto, mas ainda não está roto.

roto vs estragado

General word for 'spoiled' or 'broken'.

'Estragado' is for food or machines; 'roto' is for the physical integrity of fabric.

O leite está estragado; o bolso está roto.

Satzmuster

[Noun] + estar + roto/a

O sapato está roto.

Ter + [Noun] + roto/a

Eu tenho uma meia rota.

Ficar com + [Noun] + roto/a

Fiquei com o casaco roto.

O roto a falar do nu

Isso é o roto a falar do nu!

Apesar de + [Infinitive] + roto/a

Apesar de estar roto, ainda gosto dele.

[Noun Abstract] + roto/a

Uma alma rota pela dor.

Apresentar-se + roto/a

Apresentou-se roto à assembleia.

Dialética do [Noun] roto

A dialética do sistema roto.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

rotura (rupture)

rompimento (breaking/severing)

farrapo (rag/shred)

Verben

romper (to tear/to break)

corromper (to corrupt)

interromper (to interrupt)

Adjektive

roto (torn)

rompido (broken/severed)

corrupto (corrupt)

Verwandt

ruptura

irrupção

erupção

abrupto

interrupção

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very common in Portugal, less so in Brazil.

Häufige Fehler

O meu telemóvel está roto. → O meu telemóvel está estragado.
'Roto' is for tearing fabric; 'estragado' is for broken devices.
Eu tenho meias roto. → Eu tenho meias rotas.
Adjectives must agree in gender (feminine) and number (plural) with 'meias'.
A janela está rota. → A janela está partida.
Glass is 'partido', not 'roto' (unless it's a fabric screen).
Use 'roto' for a cut finger. → O meu dedo está cortado.
'Roto' is for objects; for skin, use 'cortado' or 'ferido'.
Confusing 'rota' (route) with 'rota' (torn). → Check context: 'A rota do navio' vs 'A meia rota'.
One is a noun meaning path, the other is an adjective.

Tipps

Agreement is Key

Always match 'roto' with the noun. Don't forget 'rotas' for 'calças'!

Use with 'Estar'

Since being torn is a condition, 'estar' is your best friend here.

Portugal vs. Brazil

In Portugal, say 'roto'. In Brazil, say 'furado'.

Learn the Proverb

'O roto a falar do nu' is a classic. Use it to sound like a native.

Textile Specific

Keep 'roto' for fabrics and leather. Avoid using it for electronics.

The Guttural R

Practice the 'R' at the back of your throat for 'roto'.

Positioning

Place 'roto' after the noun for standard descriptions.

Exhaustion

If you are very tired, you can say 'Estou roto' in an informal setting.

Context Clues

If you hear 'roto' near 'meia' or 'sapato', it always means torn.

Visual Aid

Visualize a holey sock whenever you hear the word 'roto'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'ROTO-rooter' clearing a 'ROTO' (broken/torn) pipe. Even though it's for plumbing, the sound 'roto' connects to damage.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a pair of old jeans with a giant hole in the knee. Visualize the word 'ROTO' written inside the hole.

Word Web

meias sapatos calças rasgado furo velho gasto coser

Herausforderung

Try to find three items in your house that are 'um pouco rotos' (a bit torn) and name them in Portuguese.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin 'ruptus', which is the past participle of 'rumpere' (to break or to burst).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Broken, burst, or fractured.

Romance (Indo-European).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when calling someone's clothes 'rotas' as it can imply they look poor or messy.

English speakers often use 'broken' for everything. Remember that 'roto' is specifically for tearing/wearing of soft materials.

The proverb 'O roto a falar do nu' is found in many classic Portuguese fables. Fado songs often mention 'vestes rotas' to evoke sadness. Modern Portuguese fashion blogs use 'jeans rotos' for the distressed look.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At home

Esta toalha está rota.
As meias do miúdo estão sempre rotas.
Onde está o cesto da roupa rota?
Não ponhas esse lençol, está roto.

Shoemaker/Tailor

Pode consertar este sapato roto?
O forro do casaco está roto.
Quanto custa remendar estas calças rotas?
Está roto na costura.

Fashion shopping

Estas calças já vêm rotas?
Gosto do estilo roto.
O casaco é giro, mas está um pouco roto.
Não compro roupa rota.

Social criticism

É o roto a falar do nu.
Ele anda sempre todo roto.
A empresa está de bolsos rotos.
Aquele bairro é de gente rota.

Accidents

Caí e fiquei com o joelho roto.
O pneu ficou roto no meio da estrada.
O gato deixou o sofá todo roto.
A minha mochila ficou rota na viagem.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Sabias que em Portugal usamos 'roto' para furos nas meias?"

"O que fazes quando as tuas calças favoritas ficam rotas?"

"Já ouviste o provérbio 'o roto a falar do nu'?"

"Achais que as calças rotas deviam ser mais baratas por terem menos tecido?"

"Como se diz 'roto' no teu país?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreve uma peça de roupa que tenhas e que esteja rota, mas que não consigas deitar fora.

Escreve sobre uma situação em que viste alguém a ser 'o roto a falar do nu'.

Como te sentes quando andas com uma meia rota sem ninguém saber?

Imagina que és um sapato roto. Conta a tua história.

Reflete sobre a moda das calças rotas: estilo ou falta de sentido?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, for a window you should use 'partida' or 'quebrada'. 'Roto' is almost exclusively for fabric, leather, or paper in specific contexts.

It is understood but much less common. Brazilians prefer 'rasgado' or 'furado'. Using 'roto' in Brazil might make you sound like you are from a 19th-century novel.

The feminine plural is 'rotas'. For example: 'As minhas meias estão rotas'.

No. A broken phone is 'estragado' or 'avariado'. If you say a phone is 'roto', people will think the case is torn or worn through.

You use the idiom: 'É o roto a falar do nu'.

Yes, but usually to mean they are wearing rags or, figuratively, that they are exhausted ('Estou roto' meaning 'I'm wiped out').

Yes, it is an irregular past participle of 'romper', but today it is used almost exclusively as an adjective.

'Roto' means torn or with a hole. 'Esfarrapado' means in shreds or rags—it's much more extreme.

Yes, 'pneu roto' is used in Portugal when the tire is shredded or has a significant hole.

It's pronounced RO-tu, with a guttural 'R' and a closed 'O' in the first syllable.

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