faltaba
/fahl-TAH-bah/
was missing
The necessary piece was missing from the set. (Faltaba)
faltaba(Verb (Imperfect Tense))
was missing
?something necessary was absent
,was lacking
?a required element was not present
was needed
?implying necessity
📝 In Action
Cuando llegué a la reunión, solo faltaba el jefe.
A2When I arrived at the meeting, only the boss was missing.
En la receta, faltaba un ingrediente crucial: el azúcar.
B1In the recipe, a crucial ingredient was lacking: the sugar.
Parecía que siempre faltaba algo de dinero en la caja.
B2It seemed like some money was always missing from the till.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Imperfect Tense
'Faltaba' uses the Imperfect tense, which describes ongoing situations, repeated actions, or states of being in the past (e.g., 'It used to be missing' or 'It was continuously missing').
Structure like 'Gustar'
The thing that is missing is the subject of 'faltaba.' If you say 'Me faltaba paciencia,' the literal meaning is 'Patience was lacking to me' (I lacked patience).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Faltaba (Imperfect) with Faltó (Preterite)
Mistake: "Usando 'Faltó sal en la sopa.'"
Correction: Use 'Faltaba sal en la sopa.' The imperfect ('faltaba') describes a state (the continuous lack of salt), while the preterite ('faltó') describes a single, completed event (e.g., 'He missed the goal').
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the lack
Think of 'faltaba' as focusing on the void or the absence. It describes the background condition of something not being there.
She missed her friend who was not there. (Faltaba)
faltaba(Verb (Imperfect Tense))
missed (emotionally)
?feeling the absence of someone
yearned for
?strong emotional lack
📝 In Action
Después de mudarse, le faltaba la tranquilidad del campo.
B1After moving, she missed the tranquility of the countryside. (Literally: The tranquility of the countryside was lacking to her.)
A pesar de tener amigos, me faltaba mi mejor amigo de la infancia.
B2Despite having friends, I missed my best friend from childhood.
💡 Grammar Points
Emotional Missing
When 'faltar' means 'to miss' someone, the person feeling the emotion is indicated by an indirect pronoun (me, te, le, etc.), and the person/thing being missed is the subject ('faltaba').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Direct Translation Error
Mistake: "Saying 'Yo faltaba a mi familia.'"
Correction: Say 'Me faltaba mi familia.' The structure is reversed from English; the family is the subject, not the object.
Only a short distance remained until they arrived. (Faltaba)
faltaba(Verb (Imperfect Tense))
remained
?time left until an event
,was left
?time remaining
📝 In Action
Faltaba solo una hora para que terminara el plazo.
B1Only one hour remained until the deadline ended.
Cuando llegamos a la cima, nos dimos cuenta de que faltaba poco para el amanecer.
B2When we reached the summit, we realized that little time was left until dawn.
💡 Grammar Points
Measuring Past Time
This usage of 'faltaba' tells you the state of the clock or calendar in the past—how much time was still needed or left before an event.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: faltaba
Question 1 of 2
Which English phrase best translates 'Me faltaba un libro para terminar la colección'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'faltaba' and 'faltó'?
'Faltaba' (Imperfect) describes a continuous or habitual situation in the past (e.g., 'The light was always off'). 'Faltó' (Preterite) describes a single, completed event (e.g., 'He missed the appointment once').
Is 'faltaba' the same as 'extrañaba'?
They are similar when talking about missing a person. 'Extrañaba' is generally used for emotional longing ('I missed him'). 'Faltaba' often implies a practical or emotional lack where the missing item/person is the subject ('He was lacking to me').