how to use "falta"

Question

I know it to mean lack or absence of, but I hear it used alot of ways that I don't understand. Cuanto falta / how much time is left? or how to much time to go? Could you respond here with falta?

Theres a song called le hace falta un beso. I know how this translates, but I don't really understand why. or Me haces falta. Could someone please explain.

Answer 1

Faltar is one of those verbs like "gustar." It means "to be lacking to"

Le falta means "to him there is lacking" something. "Le falta dinero para ir al cine." which word for word would go: "To him there is lacking money to go to the movies." In English we change it around to mean "He lacks/needs/doesn't have, etc. money to go to the movies.

"Me falta el tiempo para terminar la tarea." Literally- "To me is lacking the time to finish my homework." An English speaker says: "I'm lacking/don't have, etc. the time to finish my homework."

"Hacerle falta" is an expression that means literally "to be making a lack to" someone. It's used to say you miss someone.

If I say, "Me haces falta," (you make a lack to me) what I'm saying in English is, "I miss you."

"Le hace falta un beso" = "He missing a kiss"

¿Cuánto tiempo falta para las tres? How long until three o'clock? "Faltan diez minutos"

(Ten minutes are lacking.)

In fact that's one way of telling time before the hour. To say it's ten minutes to three, you would say, Faltan diez minutos para las tres

I hope I have shed some light on your little problem with "faltar" ¿Falta más explicación?

(Is more explanation needed?)

You certainly did mi amor , very concise as per, thank you so much for the effort. - ray76, Sep 10, 2016

Answer 2

1. We use falta to imply the time for something to be expected or completed.
   
   • ¿Cuánto falta para llegar a la estación? (= the time it takes to...)
2. We use falta to imply lack or shortage of something.
   
   • A ella le hace falta un beso. (= she needs a kiss.)
   • Me haces falta. (= I miss you.)

My vote , good post mate , tell me can i go up to a girl and say -"Tú hace falta un beso' ,Or no ? - ray76, Sep 10, 2016

"Te" hace falta un beso. - Daniela2041, Sep 10, 2016

Yes of course you can Daniela , any time you like just pout and point - ray76, Sep 10, 2016

Answer 3

In addition to the other answers, faltar is also used in a formal way, as in business, of saying "Don't hesitate", ie: No falte ponerse en contacto con nosotros si se le ofrece algo más.

Thanks Julian , this is all so new to me , amazing that we have never covered this word before , it it in common usage, I guess it must be. - ray76, Sep 10, 2016

It's common in Mexico, mate, but formally and sometimes in adverts - 005faa61, Sep 10, 2016

Answer 4

It is possible to say the following,-

¿Es posible decir lo siguiente?

Me falta siendo capaz de besar mi novia, o nadie.

I miss being able to kiss my girlfriend, or anyone.

"Me falta ser capaz de besar a mi novia o a quien sea" but this sounds like a physical imparement - 005faa61, Sep 10, 2016