no funciona
/no funθjona/from spelling rules
The English phrase "it doesn't work" is translated into Spanish as no funciona.
You can use no funciona to describe a mechanical or electronic device that fails to operate. It is also used for abstract concepts, such as a plan or a method, that is not effective.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of no (not) and funciona (works/functions).
Which one should you use?
While no funciona means that something is not operating, the common alternative no sirve is often used to express that something is not useful or is broken.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, verbs do not require an explicit subject pronoun for "it", so the subject is implied by the conjugation of the verb funciona.
How do you pronounce it?
/no funθjona/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use the phrase no anda to say something does not work, treating a broken machine as if it simply cannot walk.
- While no funciona refers to a technical failure, the phrase no sirve can be used to describe a person who is socially or professionally incompetent.
- The word no in this phrase descends from the Latin 'nōn', making it a direct linguistic relative of the English 'not'.
Examples in context
- No funciona muy bien.It doesn't work very well.This sentence is useful for saying that no funciona does not work very well.Tatoeba #3390051 by marcelostockle, translation #2276526 by CK
- No funciona tan bien.It doesn't work all that well.This sentence is useful for saying that no funciona does not work all that well.Tatoeba #13652775 by Seael, translation #12538422 by sundown
- No funciona muy bien porque las pilas se están agotando.It doesn't work so well because the batteries are running down.This sentence is useful for explaining that no funciona does not work well because of dying batteries.Tatoeba #1685672 by teskmon, translation #279225 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are in the living room trying to use a remote control.
- MateoElena, el control remoto no funciona.Elena, the remote control doesn't work.
- Elena¿Seguro que tiene pilas?Are you sure it has batteries?
- MateoSí, pero sigue sin funcionar.Yes, but it still doesn't work.
- ElenaTal vez esté roto.Maybe it is broken.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
