How to Say "it works" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “it works” is “funciona” — use 'funciona' when referring to a machine, device, system, or even an abstract concept like a plan or idea that is operating correctly or producing the desired result..
funciona
/foon-SYOH-nah//funˈsjo.na/
Examples
Mi coche no funciona hoy.
My car isn't working today.
Mi teléfono no funciona.
My phone doesn't work.
¿Funciona el aire acondicionado?
Does the air conditioning work?
El sistema funciona perfectamente.
The system works perfectly.
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).
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.
funciona
/foon-SYOH-nah//funˈsjo.na/
Examples
La nueva estrategia de marketing funciona muy bien.
The new marketing strategy works very well.
Mi teléfono no funciona.
My phone doesn't work.
¿Funciona el aire acondicionado?
Does the air conditioning work?
El sistema funciona perfectamente.
The system works perfectly.
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).
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.
sirve
SEER-veh/ˈsiɾβe/
Examples
¿Para qué sirve este botón?
What is this button for (what purpose does it serve)?
¿Para qué sirve esta llave?
What is this key for (what purpose does it serve)?
Mi computadora no sirve. Está rota.
My computer doesn't work (is useless). It's broken.
Esta medicina sirve para aliviar el dolor.
This medicine is useful for relieving pain.
Stem Change E → I
In the present tense, the 'e' in 'servir' changes to an 'i' in the third-person singular ('sirve'), but NOT in the 'we' ('nosotros') form (servimos).
Using 'Sirve para'
Use 'sirve para' (it serves for) when describing the purpose or function of an object or action.
Using 'Estar' instead of 'Servir'
Mistake: “Saying 'El carro no está útil' (The car is not useful).”
Correction: Use 'sirve': 'El carro no sirve' (The car is useless/broken).
Funciona vs. Sirve
Related Translations
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