falta de
/falta de/from spelling rules
The English phrase "lack of" is translated into Spanish as falta de.
falta de is used to describe the state of not having enough of something or not having it at all. It is also a key component of the fixed expression falta de respeto, which is used to describe an act of disrespect or a breach of etiquette.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun falta (which can mean lack or fault) and the preposition de (of).
Which one should you use?
While falta de can refer to a total or partial lack, escasez de is used specifically when referring to a scarcity or shortage of resources, such as food or water.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the expression escasez de is often used to denote a shortage or scarcity of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun falta is feminine. Therefore, if you use an adjective to describe the lack itself, the adjective must be feminine, such as in una falta constante.
How do you pronounce it?
/falta de/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers use hacer falta to express that something is needed, which literally translates to 'to make a lack'.
- While falta de means 'lack of', the word falta alone is used in sports like football and tennis to describe a 'foul' or a 'fault'.
- The noun falta comes from the Latin verb fallere, which means 'to deceive' or 'to fail'.
Examples in context
- Murió por falta de aire.She died for lack of air.This sentence is useful for showing how to express dying due to a lack of something using falta de.Tatoeba #2442842 by wallebot, translation #313882 by Zifre
- Es una falta de respeto.It is a lack of respect.This sentence shows how to use the fixed expression falta de respeto.Tatoeba #2998590 by hayastan, translation #2998752 by annabelle
- Él murió por falta de oxígeno.He died from lack of oxygen.This sentence shows how to express dying due to a lack of a specific resource using falta de.Tatoeba #1670112 by marcelostockle, translation #297009 by CK
- La falta de educación es un problema grave.The lack of education is a serious problem.
- El informe presenta una ausencia de datos actualizados.The report shows a lack of updated data.
- Existe una ausencia de consenso respecto al proyecto de ley.There is a lack of consensus regarding the proposed bill.
- No tengo tiempo para salir esta noche.I lack the time to go out tonight.
- Carezco de habilidades culinarias.I lack culinary skills.
- Careces de experiencia en este campo.You lack experience in this field.
- Hay una escasez de viviendas en el centro de la ciudad.There is a housing shortage in the city center.
- La escasez de agua afecta a muchas comunidades.The lack of water affects many communities.
- 77 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing why a project is delayed.
- DanielTenemos un problema por falta de tiempo.We have a problem due to a lack of time.
- SofíaTienes razón, Daniel. No podemos terminar hoy.You are right, Daniel. We cannot finish today.
- DanielTambién hay falta de personal en la oficina.There is also a lack of staff in the office.
- SofíaDebemos hablar con el jefe sobre esto.We should talk to the boss about this.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, falta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
