Meaning
breakdown, failure, fault
- damage, ruin
In a sentence
Il treno è in ritardo per un guasto tecnico.
The train is delayed due to a technical fault.
Che guasto ha fatto la grandine alla macchina?
What damage did the hail do to the car?
Per fortuna, il fuoco non ha causato molto guasto.
Luckily, the fire didn't cause much damage.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| guasto | masculine · singular |
| guasti | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- In modern Italian, guasto is far more common as an adjective: Il telefono è guasto. As a noun, it sounds formal, technical, or literary.
- For everyday 'damage,' speakers often prefer danno. Guasto usually suggests a malfunction or physical breakdown, especially in technical contexts.
- Don't confuse noun il guasto with adjective guasto/guasta. In phrases like un guasto al motore, it's a noun meaning a fault or breakdown.