What does falta in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word falta in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use falta in Spanish.

The word falta in Spanish means offense, shortage, foul, defect, missed period, short (on ), lack, be missing, be [time period] away, miss, break, how long before…? how long until...?, how much longer before we get to…?, in the absence of, half a loaf is better than none, in the absence of, there's still something missing, lack of the necessary conditions, lack of the required conditions, make a mistake, miss, notice is missing, loss of appetite, absence, lack of communication, lack of coordination, lack of discipline, poor discipline, rudeness, bad manners, lack of professional ethics, lack of funds, spelling error, spelling mistake, nonpayment, lack of proof, lack of respect, disrespect, lack of seriousness, lack of sleep, intestacy, serious misconduct, minor offense, misdemeanor, be needed, you need to, need, miss, needs, not be needed, not be necessary, be no need to so, you don't need to, due to a lack of, through lack of, due to a lack of, through lack of, due to a lack of time, because of time constraints, recusal for lack of competence, without fail, all needs to do is speak. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word falta

offense

nombre femenino (infracción) (US)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le han retirado el carné de conducir por cometer una falta grave.

They revoked his driver's license for committing a serious offense.

shortage

nombre femenino (escasez, carestía)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Hay una gran falta de alimentos debido a la sequía.

There's a severe shortage of food due to the drought.

foul

nombre femenino (dep.: infracción)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

El delantero cometió una falta y le dieron una tarjeta amarilla.

The forward committed a foul and they gave him a yellow card.

defect

nombre femenino (defecto)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Esta blusa está rebajada porque tiene una falta en la manga.

This blouse is marked down because the sleeve has a defect.

missed period

nombre femenino (de menstruación)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Pensé que estaba embarazada porque tuve una falta, pero parece que fue falsa alarma.

I thought I was pregnant because I had a missed period, but it looks like it was a false alarm.

short (on )

adjetivo (carente)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Últimamente estoy falto de dinero.

Lately I've been short on cash.

lack

verbo intransitivo (no haber) (have none, too little)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Si no faltara dinero en mi casa, podríamos permitirnos algunos lujos.

If money were not lacking in my house, we could afford some luxuries.

be missing

verbo intransitivo (cosa: no estar en su lugar) (absence of [sb], [sth])

Falta un expediente en el archivero. ¿Quién se lo llevó?

A report is missing from the file cabinet. Who took it?

be [time period] away

verbo intransitivo (tiempo: quedar por pasar) (time until [sth] happens)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Falta una semana para que empiece la primavera.

The start of spring is one week away.

miss

(obligación: no asistir) (appointment: not attend)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Si faltas al trabajo con frecuencia, te van a despedir.

If you miss work often, you'll get fired.

break

(infringir, incumplir)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Pedro no tiene palabra: acostumbra faltar a sus promesas.

Peter isn't trustworthy; he usually breaks his promises.

how long before…? how long until...?

expresión (¿Cuando llegamos a...?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

how much longer before we get to…?

expresión (periodo de espera)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in the absence of

locución preposicional (en ausencia de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

A falta de azúcar, utilicé miel en la receta y quedó mejor.

In the absence of sugar, I used honey in the recipe and it was better.

half a loaf is better than none

expresión (hay que conformarse)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in the absence of

locución preposicional (dada la carencia de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ante la falta de ayuda oficial, los vecinos se organizaron para ofrecer su ayuda voluntaria.

In the absence of official help, neighbors got together to volunteer their help.

there's still something missing

locución adverbial (incompleto)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Aún falta algo para terminar el cuadro pero no sé qué es.

There's still something missing to finish the painting but I don't know what.

lack of the necessary conditions, lack of the required conditions

(der: para acción, proceso o sentencia)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

make a mistake

(caer en un error)

miss

locución verbal (ES (extrañar, echar de menos)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Camila echa en falta su ciudad desde que se mudó a Canadá. El viejo echa en falta a sus amigos de la infancia.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. The dog was pining for its owners after three days at the kennels.

notice is missing

locución verbal (ES (notar la ausencia)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

En la reunión del gobierno, el público echó en falta a la ministra de educación.

The public noticed that the Minister for Education was missing at the government meeting.

loss of appetite

(inapetencia)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

absence

nombre femenino (ausencia)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Tres llegadas tarde de un estudiante a esta clase equivalen a una falta de asistencia.

If a student turns up late to this class three times it counts as an absence.

lack of communication

(poco diálogo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

La falta de comunicación causó graves problemas en la pareja.

The lack of communication led to serious problems in the couple's relationship.

lack of coordination

(descoordinación)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

lack of discipline, poor discipline

(indisciplina, desorden)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Las constantes faltas de disciplina de Juan tienen cansada a la maestra.

The teacher is growing tired of Juan's constant lack of discipline.

rudeness

(incivilidad, incultura)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

El debate puso en evidencia la falta de educación del candidato.

bad manners

(grosería, descortesía)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

Sonarse la nariz en público es una falta de educación en ciertas regiones.

lack of professional ethics

(der: conducta laboral inmoral)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

lack of funds

(capital insuficiente)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

spelling error, spelling mistake

(error ortográfico)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

La idea central del ensayo es buena, pero las faltas de ortografía le restan credibilidad.

The central idea is good, but the spelling errors undermine the essay's credibility.

nonpayment

(incumplimiento de pago)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

La empresa se quedó sin conexión a Internet por falta de pago.

The company was left without an Internet connection due to nonpayment.

lack of proof

locución nominal femenina (der: ausencia de pruebas) (inconclusive)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

lack of respect, disrespect

(grosería, descortesía)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Entrar a una casa sin llamar a la puerta podría verse como una falta de respeto.

Entering a house without knocking on the door could be seen as a lack of respect.

lack of seriousness

(informalidad)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

lack of sleep

(privación de descanso)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

La falta de sueño y el exceso de velocidad fueron las principales causas del accidente en la carretera.

Lack of sleep and excessive speed were the main causes of the highway accident.

intestacy

locución nominal femenina (der: ausencia de herencia)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

serious misconduct

(infracción grande) (loss of position)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Debido a una falta grave, Carlos se quedó sin empleo y recibió una demanda.

Due to serious misconduct, Carlos lost his job and was sued.

minor offense, misdemeanor

(infracción pequeña) (law)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

be needed

locución verbal (ser necesario)

Para dominar un arte, hace falta esfuerzo y dedicación.

To master an art, hard work and dedication are necessary.

you need to

locución verbal (ser necesario que se haga) (followed by infinitive)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El contrato está listo; solo hace falta que lo firmen los interesados.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. You need to water the houseplants; they're dying.

need

locución verbal (ser necesario para alguien)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

A Luis le hace falta un abrigo. A todos nos hace falta un amigo a veces.

Luis needs a coat. Everybody needs a friend sometimes.

miss

locución verbal (CO (hacer sentir añoranza)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Juan me hace falta desde que se fue. Cuando vivía en Quito, a Thomas le hacía falta su ciudad.

I've been missing Juan since he left. When he lived in Quito, Thomas missed his city.

needs

locución verbal (necesitar, requerir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Juan le hace falta a María, ella no es la misma sin él.

Maria needs Juan: she's not the same without him.

not be needed, not be necessary

locución verbal (no ser necesario)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

No hace falta dinero; está todo completo.

Money is not needed; everything is complete.

be no need to so

locución verbal (no ser necesario)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

No hacía falta gritar porque el micrófono estaba encendido.

There was no need to shout because the microphone was on.

you don't need to

locución verbal (no ser necesario)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Puedes mudarte ahora mismo; no hace falta que firmes el contrato.

You can move in right away: you don't need to sign the contract.

due to a lack of, through lack of

locución preposicional (expresa carencia)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Suspendieron la obra por falta de presupuesto.

They suspended production due to a lack of budget.

due to a lack of, through lack of

(impedimento)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Por falta de recursos económicos, las familias no podían afrontar los pagos.

due to a lack of time, because of time constraints

(justificación)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

No puedo atender su petición por falta de tiempo.

recusal for lack of competence

(derecho: objeción, rechazo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

without fail

locución adverbial (puntualmente)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Este hombre dona sin falta la mitad de su salario a un orfanato.

This man always donates half of his salary to an orphanage without fail.

all needs to do is speak

expresión (es tan perfecto que parece vivo) (object)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Let's learn Spanish

So now that you know more about the meaning of falta in Spanish, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in Spanish.

Related words of falta

What does abulia in Spanish mean?

What does aislamiento in Spanish mean?

What does algo in Spanish mean?

What does anorexia in Spanish mean?

What does apuro in Spanish mean?

What does atrofia in Spanish mean?

What does ausencia in Spanish mean?

What does ausentismo in Spanish mean?

What does cachondeo in Spanish mean?

What does candidez in Spanish mean?

What does cansancio in Spanish mean?

What does cargo in Spanish mean?

What does cometer in Spanish mean?

What does complementar in Spanish mean?

What does culpa in Spanish mean?

What does decaimiento in Spanish mean?

What does defecto in Spanish mean?

What does desacato in Spanish mean?

What does desconocimiento in Spanish mean?