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función

foon-syOHN/funˈθjon/

function, role

Also: duty, operation
NounfA2
A bright red hammer successfully hitting a silver nail into a brown wooden board, illustrating its intended purpose.

📝 In Action

La función principal de este botón es encender la máquina.

A2

The main function of this button is to turn on the machine.

¿Cuál es la función del director en esta película?

B1

What is the director's role in this movie?

El corazón cumple la función de bombear sangre.

B1

The heart fulfills the function of pumping blood.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • cumplir una función – to fulfill a function/role
  • función vital – vital function

performance, screening

Also: show
NounfB1
A bright yellow spotlight focused on a closed red velvet curtain on a simple wooden stage, ready for a show.

📝 In Action

Fuimos a la última función del cine a las diez de la noche.

B1

We went to the last movie screening at ten o'clock at night.

La función de ballet fue increíble, con entradas agotadas.

B2

The ballet performance was incredible, with sold-out tickets.

Solo hay una función por día en ese teatro pequeño.

B1

There is only one show per day in that small theater.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • espectáculo (show/spectacle)
  • obra (play/work)

Common Collocations

  • primera función – first showing/performance
  • función doble – double feature

function, function

Also: mapping
NounfB2formal
A blue square connected by a simple thick black arrow pointing directly to a green circle, illustrating a clear input-output mapping.

📝 In Action

En matemáticas, una función relaciona un conjunto de entrada con uno de salida.

B2

In mathematics, a function relates an input set to an output set.

El programador escribió una función para calcular el promedio.

C1

The programmer wrote a function to calculate the average.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • algoritmo (algorithm)

Common Collocations

  • función trigonométrica – trigonometric function
  • función renal – renal function (medical)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "función" in Spanish:

mapping→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: función

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'función' to mean 'performance' or 'show'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
funcionar(to work/to function) — Verb
funcional(functional) — Adjective
funcionamiento(operation/working (noun)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
nacióncanción
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *functio*, which meant 'performance' or 'execution.' The Spanish word kept the core idea of 'carrying out an action' or 'doing a job.'

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: functionFrench: fonction

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'función' the same as 'trabajo'?

No, they are different! 'Trabajo' usually means 'work' or 'job' in general. 'Función' is more specific; it refers to the *specific duties* or *role* that a person or thing performs within that job or system. Think of 'función' as 'what it does,' and 'trabajo' as 'the activity or place where it happens.'

How do I know if 'función' means 'role' or 'performance'?

Look at the surrounding words. If you see words related to entertainment (cine, teatro, ballet, hora), it means 'performance.' If you see words related to systems, biology, or jobs (motor, cuerpo, gerente, tarea), it means 'role' or 'purpose.'