Forgetting 'de'

To say 'a lack of something', you almost always use the structure 'la falta de' followed by the thing you don't have enough of. For example, 'la falta de dinero' (the lack of money).

Expressing 'Lack of...'

The phrase 'hace falta' means 'it's necessary' or 'is needed'. It's incredibly common. 'Hace falta más pan' means 'We need more bread' (literally, 'More bread makes a lack').

The Super-Useful Phrase 'hacer falta'

Extremely common, especially in phrases like 'falta de tiempo' (lack of time).

Missing a Person vs. Being Absent

Often, the thing that is missing is the star of the sentence. Think of 'Falta sal' as 'Salt is lacking'. To say who is missing it, add a little word like 'me', 'te', 'le'. 'Me falta sal' means 'Salt is lacking to me' or 'I'm short on salt'.

Works Like 'Gustar'

To ask how much time or distance is left, 'faltar' is perfect. You can ask '¿Cuánto falta?' (How much is left?) or '¿Cuánto tiempo falta?' (How much time is left?).

Asking 'How Much is Left?'

This is a form of the extremely common verb 'faltar'. You'll hear it constantly.

Learn the complete meaning of 'falta' in Spanish. Master its use as a noun (lack, mistake, foul) and as a verb (to be missing, to be lacking). Full conjugations, examples, and common mistakes.

falta

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

preterite

imperfect

future

conditional

subjunctive

present

imperfect

imperative

affirmative

negative

Practice Conjugations