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tronado means broke — a common term in Mexican Slang. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: February 10, 2026

🌶️ Mexican Slang

tronado

adjective • /[tro-NA-do]/

broke

Example:

Estoy tronado de lana.

I’m broke.

🧠 What does tronado mean?

Tronado is a colloquial adjective used primarily in Mexico to describe something that is broken, ruined, or no longer functional. It can refer to physical objects that are damaged beyond repair, or metaphorically to situations or plans that have gone awry or failed spectacularly. It implies a definitive state of being broken or defeated.

📚 Extra examples

  • Mi teléfono se cayó y ahora está tronado.
    My phone fell and now it's broken.
  • Teníamos todo planeado, pero el mal tiempo nos dejó tronados.
    We had everything planned, but the bad weather left us ruined/with everything messed up.
  • Ese coche viejo ya está tronado, no vale la pena arreglarlo.
    That old car is already completely broken; it's not worth fixing.
  • Después de la mala inversión, su negocio quedó tronado.
    After the bad investment, his business was ruined.

💡 Did You Know?

The verb 'tronar' in Spanish literally means 'to thunder' or 'to crack/burst.' The adjective 'tronado' evolved from this to describe something that has 'burst' or 'broken' apart, hence its common use for broken objects or ruined situations.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tronado"

Synonyms: roto, estropeado, arruinado, descompuesto, estropezado
Opposites: arreglado, funcional, intacto, completo, reparado

🔍 See more mexican slang words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'broke' in Spanish?
While 'tronado' specifically means 'broken' in a definitive sense and is Mexican slang, other common ways to say 'broke' (financially) include 'sin dinero', 'en bancarrota', or 'quebrado'.
How do you pronounce 'tronado' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is: troh-NAH-doh. The 'tr' sound is rolled slightly, the 'o' in 'tro' is short, the 'a' in 'na' is stressed and open, and the final 'o' is soft.
How do you use 'tronado' in a sentence?
'Tronado' is used as an adjective following the noun it describes, agreeing in number. For example, 'El aparato está tronado' (The device is broken) or 'Las ideas quedaron tronadas' (The ideas were ruined).
What is the English translation of 'tronado'?
The most direct English translation of 'tronado' is 'broken,' but it can also convey meanings like 'ruined,' 'wrecked,' 'a failure,' or 'beyond repair,' depending on the context.
Does 'tronado' change for gender or number?
Yes, as an adjective, 'tronado' agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The masculine singular is 'tronado,' the feminine singular is 'tronada,' the masculine plural is 'tronados,' and the feminine plural is 'tronadas.'
Is 'tronado' common in everyday Spanish?
'Tronado' is very common in informal, everyday Spanish, particularly within Mexico. In other Spanish-speaking countries, while understood, it might not be the primary term used for 'broken'.
Does 'tronado' have slang or double meanings?
In its primary slang usage, 'tronado' means broken or ruined. It does not typically carry strong double meanings in the way some other slang terms might, but its intensity implies a more severe state than just 'slightly damaged'.
Is 'tronado' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While the literal meaning of 'tronar' relates to thunder or bursting, the adjective 'tronado' specifically as 'broken' or 'ruined' is largely associated with Mexican Spanish. In Spain, other adjectives like 'roto' or 'estropeado' are more commonly used for broken objects.

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