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funcione

foo-see-OH-neh (Spain) / foo-nsee-OH-neh (Latin America)/funˈθjo.ne/ (Spain) /funˈsjo.ne/ (Latin America)

works, operates

Also: runs, functions
A brightly colored, simple storybook illustration of a small, cheerful mechanical toy robot successfully winding a spool of thread, demonstrating successful operation.
infinitivefuncionar
gerundfuncionando
past Participlefuncionado

📝 In Action

Es necesario que el sistema funcione correctamente.

A2

It is necessary that the system works correctly.

Dudo que esta batería funcione bien en el frío.

B1

I doubt that this battery works well in the cold.

¡Que funcione la cafetera!

A2

I hope the coffee machine works!

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • que funcione bien – that it works well
  • funcione sin problemas – it functions without problems

succeeds, works out

Also: is effective
A simplified illustration of two smiling cartoon figures celebrating with a high-five next to a small, freshly planted, vibrant green seedling, symbolizing a successful plan.
infinitivefuncionar
gerundfuncionando
past Participlefuncionado

📝 In Action

Ojalá que esta nueva estrategia funcione para todos.

B1

Hopefully, this new strategy works out for everyone.

No estoy segura de que nuestra relación funcione a distancia.

B2

I am not sure that our relationship works out long distance.

El jefe exige que cada persona funcione al 100%.

C1

The boss demands that each person performs at 100%.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • servir (to be useful)
  • tener éxito (to succeed)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • que la relación funcione – that the relationship works out
  • funcione como se espera – it works as expected

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedfunciona
yofunciono
túfunciona
ellos/ellas/ustedesfuncionan
nosotrosfuncionamos
vosotrosfuncionáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedfuncionaba
yofuncionaba
túfuncionabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesfuncionaban
nosotrosfuncionábamos
vosotrosfuncionabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedfuncionó
yofuncioné
túfuncionaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesfuncionaron
nosotrosfuncionamos
vosotrosfuncionasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedfuncione
yofuncione
túfunciones
ellos/ellas/ustedesfuncionen
nosotrosfuncionemos
vosotrosfuncionéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedfuncionara/funcionase
yofuncionara/funcionase
túfuncionaras/funcionases
ellos/ellas/ustedesfuncionaran/funcionasen
nosotrosfuncionáramos/funcionásemos
vosotrosfuncionarais/funcionaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "funcione" in Spanish:

functions→is effective→runs→succeeds→works→works out→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: funcione

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'funcione' to express a necessary condition?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
funcionar(to function / to work) — Verb
función(function / role) — Noun
funcional(functional) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
cancioneestacione
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *functio*, meaning 'performance' or 'execution.' The Spanish verb 'funcionar' (to perform) was created from this noun.

First recorded: 18th century (in its modern verb form)

Cognates (Related words)

French: fonctionnerEnglish: function

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'funcione' always used for the verb 'to work'?

Yes, 'funcione' is always a form of 'funcionar' (to function/to work), but it is used specifically when you are expressing wishes, doubts, emotions, or formal commands, not when stating a simple fact.

How do I know if 'funcione' means 'I work' or 'he/she/it works'?

Because 'funcione' is the same for the 'yo' (I) and 'él/ella/usted' (he/she/it/you formal) subjects in the present subjunctive, you usually need the context or the subject pronoun itself to be sure. In most conversational Spanish, the context makes it clear.