funciona
/funθjona/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'works' can be translated into Spanish as funciona.
The verb funciona is used to express that something is functional, effective or in working order. However, if you are referring to artistic or literary works, the term obras is preferred. If you mean 'works' in the sense of jobs or tasks, you may encounter different terms depending on the context and region.
Which one should you use?
While funciona can mean 'works' in the sense of a machine or a plan operating correctly, it is not used to describe a person performing their job. For that, one would use trabaja.
How do you pronounce it?
/funθjona/
Did you know?
- The word trabajo meaning 'work' is etymologically related to the Latin word for a 'torture instrument', reflecting an old view of labor as a form of suffering.
- The word obras for artistic 'works' is also the standard word for 'roadworks'. If you see a sign saying obras, you should expect construction and traffic jams rather than an art gallery.
- In some Latin American countries, the word chamba is a popular slang term for 'work' or a 'job', making the phrase estoy en mi chamba a common way to say 'I am at work'.
Examples in context
- Mi reloj funciona mal.My watch works poorly.This sentence is useful for describing a watch that funciona poorly.Tatoeba #1901885 by hayastan, translation #7995740 by BRCoolata
- ¿Así es cómo funciona?Is this how it works?This sentence is useful for asking how something funciona.Tatoeba #2266434 by marcelostockle, translation #1886889 by CK
- Veamos si eso funciona.Let's see if that works.This sentence is useful for seeing if something funciona.Tatoeba #2173180 by hayastan, translation #2007574 by CK
- Ella trabaja en el campo de los derechos humanos.She works in the field of human rights.
- El museo exhibe obras de artistas famosos.The museum exhibits works by famous artists.
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo is showing Sofía a new app on his phone.
- MateoMira, ahora el botón ya funciona.Look, now the button works.
- Sofía¡Qué bien! ¿Y el resto de la app?Great! And the rest of the app?
- MateoTodo funciona perfectamente ahora.Everything works perfectly now.
- SofíaBuen trabajo, Mateo.Good job, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
