Timeline for Is something "kaputt" just broken or completely ruined?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
10 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S Feb 24, 2014 at 17:52 | history | suggested | user5513 | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Formatting
|
| Feb 24, 2014 at 16:29 | review | Suggested edits | |||
| S Feb 24, 2014 at 17:52 | |||||
| Aug 22, 2011 at 13:21 | comment | added | Katharina Nickel | Also, my gut tells me that "kaputt" is a bit colloquial. I have rarely heard it in a professional environment, while for example talking a bout a michine that is broken down. In those cases I would go for "defekt", as 0x6d64 mentioned. | |
| Aug 22, 2011 at 10:52 | comment | added | ladybug | I actually would say, that "kaputt" implies that the item theoretically (!) can be repaired: breakable objects that can be put back together (ein Glas, eine Vase, eine Porzellanpuppe) or something that can be repaired by replacing the broken part (ein Fenster, ein Stuhl(-bein)) or a technical item (ein Computer, eine Kaffeemaschine, ein Auto) or a fabric that can be sewn (eine Hose, eine Bluse). A book, for example, can't be repaired if it is destroyed, so "ein kaputtes Buch" sounds more like a "crazy book" too me. ^^ | |
| Aug 21, 2011 at 14:42 | comment | added | 0x6d64 |
As an engineer, kaputt isn't a term I would use for a technical item, but rather call it defekt (not working properly) or zerstört (destroyed).
|
|
| Aug 21, 2011 at 13:09 | comment | added | Hackworth | @Tim N yes, 'zerkratzt' or 'verkratzt' are practically identical, with 'zerkratzt' perhaps being a bit stronger. | |
| Aug 21, 2011 at 12:40 | comment | added | Tim | Thanks! Just a question: what would you call the scratched jar in German? Zerkratzt? | |
| Aug 21, 2011 at 12:24 | comment | added | Hackworth | @Takkat That's why I included "and if it is more economical to replace that item (or have it repaired by someone) instead of repairing it by yourself." in my definition. | |
| Aug 21, 2011 at 12:18 | comment | added | Takkat | "Kaputt" definitely has also the meaning that sth. may be repairable: "Mein Computer ist schon wieder kaputt, kannst Du ihn mir reparieren?", "Meine Brille ist kaputt, ich möchte sie zur Reparatur hier abgeben." | |
| Aug 21, 2011 at 12:11 | history | answered | Hackworth | CC BY-SA 3.0 |