falla
“falla” means “fault” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
fault, error
Also: flaw, failure
📝 In Action
Hay una falla en el sistema eléctrico del coche.
A2There is a fault in the car's electrical system.
La caída del servidor se debió a una falla humana.
B1The server crash was due to a human error.
Revisamos el informe pero no encontramos ninguna falla.
B1We checked the report but didn't find any mistake.
he/she/it fails, it malfunctions
Also: fail!
📝 In Action
Si la luz roja se enciende, es porque el motor falla.
A2If the red light comes on, it's because the engine is failing/malfunctioning.
Siempre falla cuando tiene que tomar una decisión difícil.
B1He always fails when he has to make a difficult decision.
No falla el examen, solo necesita estudiar más.
A2She is not failing the exam, she just needs to study more. (Note: Often used with 'no')
fault line
Also: fissure
📝 In Action
Los sismólogos estudian la falla de San Andrés.
B2Seismologists are studying the San Andreas Fault.
La actividad sísmica es mayor cerca de las fallas activas.
C1Seismic activity is higher near active fault lines.
Falla
Also: festival structure
📝 In Action
La Falla municipal de este año medía 20 metros de altura.
C1This year's municipal Falla (monument) was 20 meters tall.
Miles de personas se reúnen para ver la 'cremà' de las fallas.
C2Thousands of people gather to watch the burning of the fallas.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "falla" in Spanish:
falla→fault→fault line→festival structure→fissure→flaw→it malfunctions→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: falla
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'falla' as a noun meaning 'defect'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Old Spanish word *falla*, derived from the Latin verb *fallere*, meaning 'to deceive,' 'to disappoint,' or 'to fail.' This root connects the idea of a mistake (noun) with the action of failing (verb).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'falla' the same as 'fallo'?
No, they are very close but used differently. 'La falla' (feminine) usually means a mistake, flaw, or defect (like a technical problem). 'El fallo' (masculine) usually means a ruling or verdict (like a judge's decision) or, less commonly, a minor error.
How do I know if 'falla' is the noun or the verb?
Look at the words around it! If it has 'la' or 'una' in front of it ('la falla'), it is the noun (the mistake). If it is used after a subject like 'él,' 'ella,' or 'el motor,' it is the verb form (he/she/it fails).