स्पीकर ख़राब है
speaker kharab hai
Speaker is bad
Literally: {"speaker":"speaker","kharaab":"bad\/spoiled\/broken","hai":"is"}
In 15 Seconds
- Means the speaker or sound system is broken.
- Used for poor audio quality or no sound.
- Common in casual chats and tech complaints.
- Avoid in highly formal or non-speaker issues.
Meaning
This phrase means that the speaker or sound system isn't working right. It's your go-to for when the audio is crackly, muffled, or just plain broken. Think of it as the audio equivalent of saying your internet is being super slow – it's a common frustration!
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a video call
यार, तुम्हारी आवाज़ ठीक से नहीं आ रही, `speaker ख़राब है` क्या?
Dude, I can't hear you properly, is your speaker bad?
At a shop returning faulty earphones
ये इयरफ़ोन ठीक से काम नहीं कर रहे, इनका `speaker ख़राब है`।
These earphones aren't working properly, their speaker is bad.
Complaining about laptop audio
लैपटॉप पर मूवी देख रहा था, पर आवाज़ इतनी धीमी और फटी हुई थी, लगता है `speaker ख़राब है`।
I was watching a movie on the laptop, but the sound was so low and distorted, it seems the speaker is bad.
Cultural Background
At Indian weddings, the 'DJ' is a central figure. If the speaker fails, it's a minor catastrophe. You'll hear guests shouting this phrase to the sound engineers. In Indian buses or trains, the announcement speakers are notoriously unreliable. Passengers often joke about the 'kharāb' speakers when they can't understand the station names. During festivals, neighborhoods set up massive 'Pandals' with huge speakers. If one blows out due to high volume, 'Speaker phat gayā' (The speaker burst) is the common slang variation. India has a massive informal repair market (local shops). When you take a device there, you don't need a technical report; you just say 'Speaker kharāb hai' and they'll know what to do.
Universal Tech Word
You can replace 'speaker' with almost any tech word: 'Mic kharāb hai', 'Phone kharāb hai', 'Laptop kharāb hai'.
The 'Kh' Sound
Make sure to pronounce the dot (nukta) under the 'K' in 'Kharāb'. It's a raspy sound, not a simple 'K'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means the speaker or sound system is broken.
- Used for poor audio quality or no sound.
- Common in casual chats and tech complaints.
- Avoid in highly formal or non-speaker issues.
What It Means
Ever tried to listen to music or watch a video, but the sound is all fuzzy? That's when you'd say speaker kharaab hai. It’s a simple, direct way to tell someone the sound output device is malfunctioning. It’s not just about being broken; it can also mean the quality is just terrible. Like when your phone speaker sounds like it's underwater, even though it's technically 'working'. It carries a vibe of mild annoyance, but nothing too dramatic. It’s the audio version of a sigh.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase for anything with a speaker! Your phone, your laptop, a portable Bluetooth speaker, even the sound system in a car or a classroom. If the sound isn't coming out clear, or at all, this phrase fits. It's super versatile. You could be texting a friend about a movie, telling a shop assistant your new headphones are faulty, or even complaining to your roommate about the tinny sound from their mini speaker. It's the go-to phrase when sound quality is the issue.
Formality & Register
This phrase leans heavily towards the informal side. You'd use it with friends, family, or in casual settings. Think texting, WhatsApp chats, or talking to a shop employee about a product you just bought. It’s not something you’d typically use in a formal business meeting or a written report, unless you were quoting someone or describing a very specific, informal complaint. Using it in a super formal context might sound a bit blunt, like showing up to a wedding in flip-flops.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine your friend sends you a voice note, but it sounds like they're speaking through a tin can. You might reply, 'Audio kharaab hai, can you type it?' Or maybe you bought a new Bluetooth speaker, and the sound is distorted. You'd tell the seller, 'यह speaker kharaab hai.' If you're watching a movie on your laptop and the dialogue is muffled, you might mutter to yourself, 'Ugh, speaker kharaab hai.' It's the everyday audio complaint!
When To Use It
Use speaker kharaab hai when the sound is bad, distorted, muffled, or completely absent. It's perfect for everyday tech issues. If your phone’s speaker suddenly starts making weird buzzing noises, boom, use this phrase. If a YouTube video has terrible audio quality, you might use it to describe the video's sound. It's also great when you're troubleshooting. 'Is the mic working?' 'No, the speaker kharaab hai.' It covers a wide range of audio problems.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase if the problem isn't with the speaker itself. If the internet connection is causing buffering and audio lag, the speaker isn't kharaab. The problem is the stream. Also, don't use it if the volume is just too low, unless the low volume is due to a malfunction. If you simply want to say 'turn it up!', you wouldn't use this. It implies a defect, not just a setting issue. It's not for when the music is bad, only when the sound *delivery* is bad.
Common Mistakes
A common slip-up is using it when the issue is with the audio file or the source, not the speaker. For example, if a song file is poorly recorded, the speaker isn't broken. Another mistake is using it for general 'bad sound' that isn't specifically a speaker issue, like bad acoustics in a room.
speaker kharaab hai.'
✓'The concert had bad sound; maybe the speaker kharaab hai or the acoustics were poor.'
speaker kharaab hai.'
✓'My ears hurt from the loud music; the volume is too high.'
Common Variations
In some regions, people might say aawaz theek nahi aa rahi (the sound isn't coming properly) or sound mein problem hai (there's a problem with the sound). For a slightly more technical feel, you might hear audio system mein gadbadi hai (there's a glitch in the audio system). Younger generations might even use English phrases like 'speaker's busted' or 'audio is messed up' in Hinglish conversations. It’s like Hindi getting a tech upgrade!
Real Conversations
Scenario 1: Texting a friend about a movie.
Speaker 1: Hey! Did you watch that new sci-fi movie?
Speaker 2: No, not yet. How is it?
Speaker 1: The story is great, but the audio is terrible. Speaker kharaab hai on my laptop.
Speaker 2: Oh no! Maybe try headphones?
Scenario 2: At a mobile repair shop.
Customer
Technician
speaker kharaab hai. We can replace it.Customer
Quick FAQ
Is speaker kharaab hai only for broken speakers? No, it covers poor sound quality too. Can I use it for headphones? Yes, technically headphones have small speakers. Is it rude? Not usually, unless said with a very aggressive tone. It's a factual statement about a problem.
Usage Notes
This phrase is primarily informal and best used in casual conversation or when reporting a clear hardware fault. Avoid it in formal writing unless quoting someone. Be mindful not to use it for issues unrelated to the speaker itself, such as internet lag or poor recording quality.
Universal Tech Word
You can replace 'speaker' with almost any tech word: 'Mic kharāb hai', 'Phone kharāb hai', 'Laptop kharāb hai'.
The 'Kh' Sound
Make sure to pronounce the dot (nukta) under the 'K' in 'Kharāb'. It's a raspy sound, not a simple 'K'.
Adding 'Ho Gayā'
Say 'Speaker kharāb ho gayā' to sound more native—it means 'The speaker *has become* broken'.
Examples
12यार, तुम्हारी आवाज़ ठीक से नहीं आ रही, `speaker ख़राब है` क्या?
Dude, I can't hear you properly, is your speaker bad?
Used casually to ask if the friend's audio device is the problem.
ये इयरफ़ोन ठीक से काम नहीं कर रहे, इनका `speaker ख़राब है`।
These earphones aren't working properly, their speaker is bad.
A direct complaint about a product's defect.
लैपटॉप पर मूवी देख रहा था, पर आवाज़ इतनी धीमी और फटी हुई थी, लगता है `speaker ख़राब है`।
I was watching a movie on the laptop, but the sound was so low and distorted, it seems the speaker is bad.
Expresses frustration with poor audio quality.
जब आपका नया ब्लूटूथ स्पीकर उम्मीदों पर खरा न उतरे 😩 #AudioFail #SpeakerKharabHai
When your new Bluetooth speaker doesn't live up to expectations 😩 #AudioFail #SpeakerIsBad
Using the phrase as a hashtag for relatable tech issues.
माफ़ करना, मेरी तरफ़ से आवाज़ नहीं आ रही है, शायद मेरा `speaker ख़राब है`।
Sorry, I'm not getting any sound from my end, maybe my speaker is bad.
A polite way to indicate a technical issue during a professional call.
नमस्ते, मेरे फ़ोन का `speaker ख़राब है`, आवाज़ बिल्कुल नहीं आ रही। क्या आप ठीक कर सकते हैं?
Hello, my phone's speaker is bad, there's no sound at all. Can you fix it?
Clear and direct request for repair.
✗ 'यह गाना बहुत बुरा है, `speaker ख़राब है`।' → ✓ 'यह गाना बहुत बुरा है, शायद रिकॉर्डिंग अच्छी नहीं है।'
✗ 'This song is very bad, the speaker is bad.' → ✓ 'This song is very bad, maybe the recording isn't good.'
Incorrectly blaming the speaker for poor song quality.
✗ 'मेरा इंटरनेट बहुत धीमा चल रहा है, `speaker ख़राब है`।' → ✓ 'मेरा इंटरनेट बहुत धीमा चल रहा है, कनेक्शन में समस्या है।'
✗ 'My internet is very slow, the speaker is bad.' → ✓ 'My internet is very slow, there's a problem with the connection.'
Confusing internet issues with speaker malfunction.
यह साउंड इफ़ेक्ट इतना अजीब क्यों है? 🤔 लगता है `speaker ख़राब है` मेरा!
Why is this sound effect so weird? 🤔 My speaker must be bad!
Humorous self-deprecation about perceived audio issues.
लाइव स्ट्रीम का ऑडियो इतना खराब था कि मज़ा ही नहीं आया, सच में `speaker ख़राब है`।
The live stream's audio was so bad that it wasn't enjoyable, truly the speaker is bad.
Expressing disappointment with the overall audio experience.
मैंने यह नया ब्लूटूथ स्पीकर खरीदा है, पर आवाज़ साफ़ नहीं आ रही, लगता है `speaker ख़राब है`।
I bought this new Bluetooth speaker, but the sound isn't clear, it seems the speaker is bad.
Reporting a defect in a newly purchased item.
यहाँ का म्यूज़िक इतना भद्दा बज रहा है, क्या इनका `speaker ख़राब है`?
The music here is playing so badly, is their speaker bad?
Questioning the poor sound quality of the establishment's system.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'The speaker is broken.'
स्पीकर _______ है।
'Kharāb' is the correct adjective for broken/faulty.
How would you say 'The speakers (plural) are broken'?
Select the correct sentence:
The nasalized 'haiñ' is used for plural subjects.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are on a Zoom call and can't hear anything.
You are complaining about the audio device.
Complete the dialogue.
A: आवाज़ क्यों नहीं आ रही? (Why is the sound not coming?) B: __________________
'Shayad' means maybe. This is a logical response to a sound issue.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Things that can be 'Kharāb'
Electronics
- • Speaker
- • Phone
- • TV
Food
- • Doodh (Milk)
- • Khana (Food)
- • Phal (Fruit)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesस्पीकर _______ है।
'Kharāb' is the correct adjective for broken/faulty.
Select the correct sentence:
The nasalized 'haiñ' is used for plural subjects.
You are on a Zoom call and can't hear anything.
You are complaining about the audio device.
A: आवाज़ क्यों नहीं आ रही? (Why is the sound not coming?) B: __________________
'Shayad' means maybe. This is a logical response to a sound issue.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it means they are a bad or immoral person, not that they are physically broken.
'Kharāb' is for malfunction (doesn't work), 'tūṭā' is for physical damage (cracked).
It is an English loanword that is now part of standard spoken Hindi.
You can say 'Speaker kaam nahi kar raha hai'.
Yes! 'Khana kharāb hai' means the food is spoiled or tastes bad.
Yes, it is neutral and polite enough for all situations.
You can say 'Ek speaker kharāb hai'.
Ask 'Kya speaker kharāb hai?'.
No, 'kharāb' is an invariant adjective. It stays the same.
The opposite is 'ṭhīk' (fine) or 'achhā' (good).
Related Phrases
आवाज़ नहीं आ रही
similarSound is not coming.
मशीन ख़राब है
builds onThe machine is broken.
स्पीकर ठीक है
contrastThe speaker is fine.
आवाज़ साफ़ है
contrastThe sound is clear.
