faltar
Lemma Details
Translation: to be missing; to lack; to be absent; to fail; to need; to be short of
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'fallitare', a frequentative form of 'fallere' meaning 'to deceive' or 'to fail'. This Latin root also gave English words like 'fault', 'fail', 'fallible', and 'false'. The semantic evolution went from 'to deceive' to 'to fail' to 'to be missing or lacking'. The connection to English 'fault' is particularly helpful, as something that 'falta' (is missing) can be considered a fault or deficiency.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
No me faltes al respeto.
Don't disrespect me.
Me falta dinero para comprar el coche.
I lack money to buy the car.
Juan faltó a clase ayer.
Juan was absent from class yesterday.
Nos faltan dos personas para completar el equipo.
We're short two people to complete the team.
Hace falta más paciencia.
More patience is needed.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'fault' in English - when something is at 'fault', it's failing to meet expectations, just as when something 'falta', it's missing or lacking.
- Imagine a 'faulty' product that's missing parts - it 'falta' components to work properly.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'faltar' has important connotations related to social obligations and respect. 'Faltar el respeto' (to disrespect) is considered particularly serious in Spanish-speaking cultures where respect, especially for elders, is highly valued. The expression 'hacer falta' is extremely common in everyday speech to express needs or requirements.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'faltar' means 'to be missing' or 'to lack', 'fallar' means 'to fail' or 'to make a mistake'. They share a common Latin root but have distinct meanings in modern Spanish.
Notes: Both verbs can sometimes be translated as 'to fail' in English, but in different contexts: 'faltar' is failing by absence, while 'fallar' is failing by malfunction or error.
Mnemonic: 'Faltar' has a 't' like 'time' - when something 'falta', time or something else is missing. 'Fallar' has 'll' like 'fall' - when something 'falla', it fails or falls short of expectations.
Explanation: 'Faltar' means 'to be missing' while 'falsar' means 'to falsify' or 'to forge'. They look similar but have very different meanings.
Notes: While 'falsar' is less common in everyday speech, it's important to distinguish it from 'faltar' in legal or formal contexts.
Mnemonic: 'Falsar' contains 'false' - it means to make something false or fake.