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A colorful illustration of large interlocking gears turning together smoothly inside a machine.

funcionamiento

foon-syon-ah-MYEN-toh

nounmB1
operation?how a machine or system works,functioning?the act of working correctly
Also:performance?how well something is running,working?the inner mechanics of something

📝 In Action

El funcionamiento de la aplicación es muy intuitivo.

A2

The operation of the app is very intuitive.

Debemos revisar el buen funcionamiento del motor.

B1

We must check that the engine is working properly.

Pusieron el nuevo plan en funcionamiento ayer.

B2

They put the new plan into operation yesterday.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • marcha (running/progress)
  • desempeño (performance)
  • operación (operation)

Antonyms

  • avería (breakdown)
  • fallo (failure/fault)

Common Collocations

  • en funcionamiento – up and running / in operation
  • mal funcionamiento – malfunction
  • modo de funcionamiento – operating mode

💡 Grammar Points

Making Nouns from Verbs

This word is the 'thing' version of the verb 'funcionar' (to work/function). By adding the ending '-miento,' we turn the action into a name for the process itself.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Working vs. Functioning

Mistake: "Using 'trabajamiento' to talk about a machine."

Correction: Use 'funcionamiento.' In Spanish, 'trabajo' is for people's jobs, while 'funcionamiento' is for how things or systems operate.

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing Quality

To say something is working well, always use 'buen funcionamiento.' It sounds much more natural and professional than just saying it is 'good.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: funcionamiento

Question 1 of 1

Which phrase would you use to say a machine is currently 'up and running'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

funcionar(to work/function) - verb
funcional(functional) - adjective
funcionario(civil servant / official) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'funcionamiento' to talk about a person's work?

Not usually. 'Funcionamiento' refers to the mechanics or the way a system/machine works. For a person's job performance, you would use 'desempeño' or simply 'trabajo.'

What is the difference between 'función' and 'funcionamiento'?

'Función' is the 'role' or 'purpose' of something (what it is for), while 'funcionamiento' is the 'process' or 'manner' of how it actually works (how it does it).