funcionó
/funθjono/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for "worked" is funcionó.
The form funcionó is used specifically when referring to a method, plan, machine or idea that was successful or effective.
Which one should you use?
Use trabajó if you mean a person performed labor, but use funcionó if you mean a thing or a plan was successful.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The slang term Laburé is commonly used in Latin American countries, particularly Argentina and Uruguay and the informal term Curré is popular in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form funcionó is the third-person singular preterite (past tense) of the verb funcionar. Use funcionaban (imperfect tense) to describe something that worked or functioned continuously in the past, rather than a single completed event.
How do you pronounce it?
/funθjono/
Did you know?
- The slang word laburo used in Argentina and Uruguay is not native to Spain but comes from the Italian word lavoro meaning 'work'.
- While funcionar is used for machines and plans, it is also used to describe whether a romantic relationship is 'working' or successful.
- In some Latin American contexts, trabajar can be used ironically to mean 'to plot' or 'to manipulate' a situation behind the scenes.
Examples in context
- A Tom le funcionó.It worked for Tom.This sentence shows how to say something worked for a specific person using funcionó.Tatoeba #2265100 by marcelostockle, translation #2262212 by CK
- Por lo visto funcionó.Apparently it worked.This sentence uses funcionó to express that something apparently worked.Tatoeba #4048362 by ulymarrero, translation #2244904 by CK
- El nuevo plan funcionó bien.The new plan worked well.This sentence shows that a new plan worked well using funcionó.Tatoeba #615795 by Leono, translation #269267 by CK
- Trabajé en una empresa multinacional durante diez años.I worked at a multinational company for ten years.
- Laboré como gerente de proyectos en una agencia de publicidad.I worked as a project manager at an advertising agency.
- Ejercí como abogado en un bufete de abogados reconocido.I practiced as a lawyer at a renowned law firm.
- Trabajé toda la noche en el proyecto del trabajo práctico.I worked all night on the practical assignment.
- Laburé en una obra de construcción durante el verano.I worked on a construction site during the summer.
- Jalé en un puesto de tacos en la calle.I worked at a street taco stand.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing a computer repair.
- ElenaMateo, ¿el ordenador ya funcionó?Mateo, did the computer work already?
- MateoSí, la reparación funcionó de maravilla.Yes, the repair worked wonderfully.
- ElenaQué bueno que funcionó al final.I'm glad it worked in the end.
- MateoSí, me alegro mucho.Yes, I'm very happy about it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
