The Spanish verb faltar is a regular verb ending in –ar, but translating it into English is not always straightforward. Depending on the context, it can mean to be missing, to lack, to need, to be absent, to have left, and more. It also appears in several common expressions, such as faltar al respeto.

In this article, we will explore the most important uses of the Spanish verb faltar and see how its meaning changes according to the structure in which it appears.

The Spanish Verb Faltar

Learning the Spanish verb faltar is useful because English does not have a single verb that corresponds to all its meanings. In addition, faltar frequently uses a structure similar to gustar: the person who lacks or needs something is expressed with an indirect object pronoun, while the missing thing determines whether the verb is singular or plural.

Let’s look at the most common uses of the Spanish verb faltar with examples.

Faltar (to be missing)

One of the most common meanings of the Spanish verb faltar is to be missing. In this case, faltar indicates that something that should or could be present is not there.

Notice that faltar agrees with what is missing: falta una página but faltan varios documentos.

Falta una página en el informe, así que todavía no puedo revisarlo completamente.

There is a page missing from the report, so I still cannot review it completely.

Faltan varios documentos importantes, pero probablemente estén guardados en el ordenador de Marta.

Several important documents are missing, but they are probably saved on Marta’s computer.

Faltar (to lack, to need)

The Spanish verb faltar can also indicate that someone lacks or needs something. With this meaning, it commonly appears with an indirect object pronoun.

The grammatical subject is the thing that is lacking. Therefore, we say me falta dinero but me faltan algunos ingredientes.

Me falta dinero para comprar el ordenador que necesito para trabajar.

I don’t have enough money to buy the new computer I need to work.

Nos faltan algunos ingredientes para preparar la cena, así que tendremos que pasar por el supermercado.

We are missing some ingredients to prepare dinner, so we will have to stop at the supermarket.

Faltar (to be left, to remain)

Another very common use of the Spanish verb faltar is to express how much time, distance, work, or quantity remains before something is completed or reached.

The structure faltar + time + para is especially common when talking about the time remaining until an event.

Todavía faltan tres semanas para nuestras vacaciones, pero ya hemos reservado los vuelos.

There are still three weeks left until our vacation, but we have already booked the flights.

Solo faltan diez kilómetros para llegar al pueblo donde vamos a pasar el fin de semana.

There are only ten kilometers left before reaching the town where we are going to spend the weekend.

Faltar a (to be absent, to miss)

When talking about attendance, faltar can mean to be absent or to miss a place, event, class, appointment, etc. It is normally followed by the preposition a.

This use is particularly common with expressions such as faltar a clase, faltar al trabajo, faltar a una reunión and faltar a una cita.

Carlos faltó a clase tres veces la semana pasada porque estaba enfermo y tenía que quedarse en casa.

Carlos missed class three times last week because he was sick and had to stay home.

No puedes faltar a la reunión de mañana porque vamos a tomar varias decisiones sobre el proyecto.

You cannot miss tomorrow’s meeting because we are going to make several decisions about the project.

No faltar (to make sure you attend, don’t miss)

The negative imperative no faltes or no faltéis is often used to encourage someone to attend an event or make sure they do not miss it.

You may also see ¡No fales! on invitations and announcements as a way of saying Don’t miss it! or Be there!

Vamos a celebrar nuestro aniversario el sábado por la noche y esperamos verte allí, así que no faltes.

We are celebrating our anniversary on Saturday night and hope to see you there, so don’t miss it.

La próxima clase será importante para el examen, así que estudiad mucho y no faltéis.

The next class will be important for the exam, so study hard and don’t miss it.

Faltar por (to be left to do)

The construction faltar por + infinitive indicates that an action still needs to be done or remains unfinished.

This construction is useful when describing tasks or stages that remain before something can be considered complete.

Todavía falta por pintar la cocina antes de que podamos considerar terminadas las obras.

The kitchen still needs to be painted before we can consider the renovations finished.

Faltan por corregir exámenes, así que el profesor continuará trabajando durante la tarde.

There are exams left to grade, so the teacher will continue working throughout the afternoon.

Faltar a (to fail to keep or fulfill something)

The Spanish verb faltar can also mean to fail to fulfill something expected or promised. This meaning appears in expressions such as faltar a la palabra.

In these expressions, faltar a suggests failing to comply with an obligation, commitment, or expectation.

Nunca había faltado a su palabra hasta aquel día, por eso se sorprendieron con su decisión.

He had never broken his word until that day, so they were surprised by his decision.

Prometió ayudarnos durante el proceso y sabemos que jamás faltaría a su palabra.

She promised to help us throughout the process, and we know she would never break her word.

Faltar al respeto (to disrespect)

One useful expression with the Spanish verb faltar is faltar al respeto, meaning to disrespect or to be disrespectful to someone.

El alumno pidió disculpas porque comprendió que había faltado al respeto a su profesora.

The student apologized because he realized that he had been disrespectful to his teacher.

Puedes expresar una opinión diferente sin faltar al respeto a las personas que no están de acuerdo contigo.

You can express a different opinion without being disrespectful to people who do not agree with you.

Exercises

Now that you have seen the main meanings and structures of the Spanish verb faltar, let’s practice choosing the appropriate form and interpreting faltar according to its context.

Feel like doing more exercises? You can also practice the verbs llevar, dejar, tratar, quedar or querer.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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