hacer que funcione
/aθeɾ ke funθjone/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'make it work' can be translated into Spanish as hacer que funcione.
This phrase is used to describe finding a way to make something successful or functional despite facing difficulties. While funcione often refers to a machine or a system working, you can also use hacer que funcione or hacer que marche when referring to making a relationship or a plan succeed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb hacer (to make or do), the conjunction que (that) and the verb funcione (it functions or works). Literally, it translates to 'to make that it functions'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause because it expresses a desire or intention to cause a specific outcome.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ ke funθjone/
Did you know?
- The first-person form of hacer, hago, may have been influenced by the Latin word agō, which is the root of the English word 'gesture'.
- The transition from the Old Spanish fazer to the modern hacer reflects a common phonetic shift in the language's history where the 'f' sound changed to a silent 'h'.
- If you want to say you are 'making things work' in a business sense, you might say hacer que las cosas salgan bien, which literally translates to 'making things come out well'.
Examples in context
- Tenemos que lograr que funcione el nuevo sistema de gestión.We have to make the new management system work.
- Tenemos que hacer que esto funcione rápido.We need to make this work fast.
- Debemos hacer que esto funcione para que nuestras recetas sean exitosas.We need to make this work so our recipes turn out successful.
- Vamos a arreglárnoslas para que esto funcione como planeamos.We'll figure it out so this works as we planned.
- No importa lo difícil que sea, tenemos que hacer que funcione.No matter how difficult it is, we have to make it work.
- Tenemos que hacer que funcione el nuevo sistema.We have to make the new system work.
- No sé cómo hacer que funcione este aparato.I don't know how to make this device work.
- Busca la forma de hacer que funcione.Find a way to make it work.
Example conversation
Javier and María are trying to fix a broken coffee machine at the office.
- JavierLa cafetera no enciende, María.The coffee machine won't turn on, María.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, voy a hacer que funcione.Don't worry, I'm going to make it work.
- Javier¿Estás segura de que puedes arreglarla?Are you sure you can fix it?
- MaríaSí, solo necesito revisar los cables.Yes, I just need to check the cables.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
