funciona
/foon-SYOH-nah/
it works
When referring to a device or machine, funciona means 'it works'.
funciona(Verb)
it works
?for a machine, device, or system
it functions
?slightly more formal, for systems
,it runs
?for a computer program or engine
📝 In Action
Mi teléfono no funciona.
A1My phone doesn't work.
¿Funciona el aire acondicionado?
A1Does the air conditioning work?
El sistema funciona perfectamente.
A2The system works perfectly.
💡 Grammar Points
Who is 'funciona' talking about?
'Funciona' most often means 'it works' for a single thing (el teléfono funciona). But it's also the verb form for 'he works,' 'she works,' and the formal 'you work' (usted funciona). The conversation will tell you if it's a person or a thing.
Making it plural
If you're talking about more than one thing, just add an 'n' at the end: 'Las luces no funcionan' (The lights don't work).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'trabajar' for machines
Mistake: "Mi computadora no trabaja."
Correction: Mi computadora no funciona. Use 'trabajar' for people who have a job, and 'funcionar' for machines and devices that work.
This form of funciona means a plan, strategy, or idea is effective ('it works').
funciona(Verb)
it works
?for a plan, idea, or method
it's effective
?describing a solution or medicine
,it works out
?for a relationship or situation
📝 In Action
Tu idea funciona, ¡es genial!
B1Your idea works, it's brilliant!
La nueva estrategia de marketing funciona muy bien.
B1The new marketing strategy is working very well.
Nuestra relación ya no funciona.
B2Our relationship isn't working anymore.
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond Machines
Think of 'funciona' for anything that produces a desired result, not just mechanical things. It can be a diet, a study method, a team, or a relationship.
In the phrase funciona como, the word means 'it serves as' or 'it acts as' for an alternative purpose.
funciona(Verb)
it serves as
?describing an object's purpose
it acts as
?describing a person's or thing's role
📝 In Action
Esta caja funciona como una mesa pequeña.
B2This box serves as a small table.
En el proyecto, él funciona como el líder del equipo.
B2In the project, he acts as the team leader.
El sofá también funciona como cama.
B1The sofa also functions as a bed.
⭐ Usage Tips
Look for 'como'
This meaning almost always uses the word 'como' (as/like) right after it. When you see 'funciona como...', it likely means something is serving a specific role or purpose.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: funciona
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'funciona' to talk about a plan or idea, NOT a machine?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'funciona' and 'trabaja'?
It's simple: 'funciona' is for things (machines, plans, ideas), and 'trabaja' is for people (or animals) doing a job. A car 'funciona', but a mechanic 'trabaja'.
How do I say 'it worked' in the past?
You use 'funcionó'. For example, 'Ayer, mi teléfono no funcionó' (Yesterday, my phone didn't work). If it was working over a period of time in the past, you'd use 'funcionaba'.
Can I use 'funciona' for a part of the body?
Yes, absolutely! You can say 'Mi corazón funciona bien' (My heart works well) or 'Después de la operación, su riñón funciona perfectamente' (After the operation, his kidney works perfectly).