verb
to break (something), to ruin
B1
Kaputtmachen means 'to break (something)' or 'to ruin'. It is a separable, transitive verb (du machst ... kaputt) that uses the auxiliary haben (Perfekt: hast kaputtgemacht). Regular weak conjugation, non‑reflexive; past participle kaputtgemacht. Common in spoken German and also used figuratively to spoil or ruin situations.
Examples
Ich habe das nicht kaputtgemacht.
I didn't break that.
Ich mache nichts kaputt.
I won't break anything.
Bitte mach das nicht kaputt!
Please don't break that!
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine someone pressing a red button labeled 'kaputtmachen' that smashes an object.
Think 'kaput' + 'make' — to make something kaput (broken).
Notes
kaputtmachen is separable: in main clauses the prefix moves to the end (ich mache das kaputt). Uses haben as auxiliary in perfect: hat kaputtgemacht.