te falta algo
/te falta alɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you miss something" is translated into Spanish as te falta algo.
This phrase is used when someone is lacking a necessary part or piece of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally 'to you is lacking something', where falta is the third-person singular form of the verb faltar (to be lacking/missing).
Which one should you use?
Use te falta algo when a physical part or a necessary component is missing, rather than te pierdes algo, which means you are missing out on an experience or an event.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the subject from 'you' (informal) to 'he', 'she' or 'you' (formal), change the indirect object pronoun from te to le.
How do you pronounce it?
/te falta alɡo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
The phrase echar de menos is a common and versatile way to express missing something or someone.
Did you know?
- The verb faltar is also used to describe skipping or playing hooky from school or work, known as faltar a clase.
- The word falta shares a common ancestor with the English word 'fail', both coming from the Latin fallere, which originally meant 'to deceive' or 'to fall short'.
- The word falta doubles as the technical term for a 'fault' or 'foul' in sports like tennis and volleyball.
Examples in context
- Echamos de menos tu presencia en las reuniones.We miss your presence in the meetings.
- te falta algo en la maletaYou are missing something in your suitcase
- Te falta algo en la maleta.You are missing something in your suitcase.
- Te falta algo de sal en la sopa.You are missing some salt in the soup.
- Si te falta algo, dímelo.If you are missing something, tell me.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are checking their travel documents.
- ElenaJavier, te falta algo en tu maleta.Javier, you are missing something in your suitcase.
- Javier¿Qué me falta, Elena?What am I missing, Elena?
- ElenaNo tienes el pasaporte aquí.You don't have the passport here.
- JavierTienes razón, lo olvidé en la mesa.You're right, I left it on the table.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algo, falta, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
