How to Say "functioned" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “functioned” is “funcionó” — use this when referring to a device, system, or plan that worked or succeeded at a specific point in the past..
funcionó
/foon-syoh-NOH//funθjoˈno/
Examples
La puerta automática no funcionó por la mañana.
The automatic door didn't work in the morning.
La televisión no funcionó después de la tormenta.
The television didn't work after the storm.
Mi plan funcionó; conseguimos el dinero.
My plan worked; we got the money.
¿Funcionó la alarma que compraste?
Did the alarm you bought work?
The 'Preterite' Tense
This form, 'funcionó,' tells you that the action started and finished completely in the past, like a single event. (He/She/It/You formal worked.)
Funcionar vs. Trabajar
Mistake: “Using 'trabajó' when talking about a machine or plan.”
Correction: 'Trabajar' is for people or jobs. 'Funcionar' is for things, systems, or ideas. Say: 'El reloj funcionó' (The watch worked), not 'trabajó'.
funcionaba
/foon-syo-NAH-bah//funθjoˈnaβa/
Examples
Mi viejo ordenador funcionaba bien hasta que se estropeó.
My old computer was working well until it broke down.
Mi viejo reloj funcionaba perfectamente ayer.
My old watch was working perfectly yesterday.
Antes, la televisión no funcionaba sin antena.
Before, the television didn't use to work without an antenna.
Yo no sabía que la calefacción no funcionaba.
I didn't know the heating wasn't working.
The 'Was Doing' Past Form
Funcionaba is the 'imperfect' form of the verb. Use it to describe things that were already happening in the background or things that used to be true over a long period.
One Word, Two People
This specific form 'funcionaba' is used for both 'I' (yo) and 'he/she/it/you formal' (él/ella/usted). Context usually tells you who is being talked about.
Confusing Two Past Tenses
Mistake: “Using 'funcionó' when you mean 'funcionaba'.”
Correction: Use 'funcionó' if something worked once and then stopped. Use 'funcionaba' to describe the state of something (e.g., 'the computer was working when I left').
funcionado
/foon-syoh-NAH-doh//funθjoˈnaðo/
Examples
El nuevo sistema ha funcionado sin problemas.
The new system has worked without problems.
La nueva aplicación ha funcionado perfectamente desde que la instalé.
The new app has worked perfectly since I installed it.
Si el plan hubiera funcionado, seríamos ricos.
If the plan had worked, we would be rich.
No sé por qué el motor no había funcionado antes.
I don't know why the engine hadn't worked before.
The Perfect Helper
"Funcionado" is the past participle of the verb "funcionar." It must always be paired with a form of the verb "haber" (to have) to create compound tenses like "ha funcionado" (it has worked).
Always Stays the Same
Unlike some other participles, when used with "haber," "funcionado" never changes its ending (it doesn't become funcionada or funcionados). It always ends in -o.
Funcionar vs. Trabajar
Mistake: “Using 'trabajar' for objects: 'El reloj ha trabajado.'”
Correction: Use 'funcionar' for things, machines, and systems: 'El reloj ha funcionado.' 'Trabajar' is only for people doing labor.
marchó
/mar-chó//maɾˈtʃo/
Examples
Todo marchó según lo planeado en la reunión.
Everything went according to plan in the meeting.
La presentación marchó sin ningún problema técnico.
The presentation went without any technical problems.
El negocio marchó muy bien el año pasado.
The business worked out very well last year.
Used with Impersonal Subjects
This usage usually applies to things, systems, or plans (like 'the project' or 'the meeting'), not people. It describes the progress of that thing.
trabajó
trah-bah-HOH/tɾa.βaˈxo/
Examples
La impresora trabajó horas extra para completar el pedido.
The printer worked overtime to complete the order.
La bomba de agua trabajó toda la noche sin parar.
The water pump worked all night without stopping.
El plan de marketing trabajó mejor de lo que esperábamos.
The marketing plan worked better than we expected.
Inanimate Subjects
In this context, the subject of 'trabajó' is usually a machine, a system, or an abstract concept like a strategy or plan.
Simple Past vs. Imperfect
Related Translations
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