German Phrase
Mach das Eigentum nicht kaputt.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone not to damage or destroy the property in question. It can refer to personal belongings, rented items, or public assets.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to warn or instruct a person—friend, colleague, or stranger—not to break something that belongs to you or to someone else, for example in a house, a shop, or a museum.
✦Grammar Breakdown
MachdasEigentumnichtkaputt
Imperativ von machen
‘Mach’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘machen’. For ‘Sie’ you would say ‘Machen Sie …’.
Akkusativobjekt
‘das Eigentum’ is a neuter noun in the accusative case, the thing that could be damaged.
Negation mit nicht
‘nicht’ negates the following adjective ‘kaputt’; it is placed directly before the adjective, not after the verb.
Kaputt als Ergebnis‑Adjektiv
‘kaputt’ works like a result adjective after a verb (e.g., ‘machen … kaputt’ = ‘break’). It is not a separate verb.
🗨In Conversation
Mach das Eigentum nicht kaputt.
Don't damage the property.
Keine Sorge, ich passe gut auf.
Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.
✕Common Mistakes
Mach das Eigentum kaputt nicht.
‘nicht’ must stay before ‘kaputt’; placing it after the verb (e.g., ‘Mach das Eigentum kaputt nicht’) is incorrect.
Mach der Eigentum nicht kaputt.
‘Eigentum’ is neuter; the correct article in accusative is ‘das’, not ‘der’.
Machst das Eigentum nicht kaputt.
The imperative uses the base form ‘Mach’, not the 2nd‑person singular present ‘machst’.
Mach das Eigentum nicht kaputtmachen.
When split, the verb and adjective stay separate; writing ‘kaputtmachen’ as one word changes the structure.
↔Alternatives
Zerstöre das Eigentum nicht.
Don't destroy the property.
Beschädige das Eigentum nicht.
Don't damage the property.
Bitte das Eigentum nicht beschädigen.
Please do not damage the property.
Cultural Tip
German imperatives can sound very direct. Adding ‘Bitte’ or using a softer form like ‘Könntest du das Eigentum bitte nicht beschädigen?’ makes the request more polite. Also, ‘Eigentum’ can refer to private or public property, so the article ‘das’ signals a specific item you have in mind.