The most common and neutral way to say “it doesn’t work” in Spanish is “no funciona.” For broken or useless items, “no sirve” is also commonly used, but with a slightly different shade of meaning.
You just bought a cheap blender at a market in Mexico City. You plug it in, nothing happens. You want to tell the vendor: “It doesn’t work.” But your Spanish textbook taught you trabajar for work, which is for jobs. So you blurt out “no trabaja” and get a confused look.
The phrase you need is no funciona, but there’s a deeper choice. Spanish has multiple verbs for “to work,” and picking the wrong one can make you sound like a beginner. This article explains the differences between funcionar, servir, and trabajar so you can express yourself clearly — whether your device is broken or your plan is useless.
The Basic Phrase: “No Funciona”
No funciona (it doesn’t function) is the direct, safe translation for most situations involving machines, devices, and systems. The verb funcionar is a regular -ar verb, so it follows standard conjugation patterns: no funciona (it doesn’t work), no funcionan (they don’t work), no está funcionando (it isn’t working).
This phrase is neutral and widely understood across all Spanish-speaking regions, from Spain to Argentina. Whether you’re talking about a computer, a car, or a smartphone, no funciona will always be understood as a mechanical or operational failure.
What It Covers
Use no funciona when you mean the thing doesn’t operate as expected. For example, a printer that won’t turn on, a wifi router that keeps dropping signal, or a vending machine that won’t take your money. It’s about function — does the object do its job?
Why Spanish Learners Struggle With The Right Verb
English uses one verb, “to work,” for three completely different situations: a person working at a job, a machine running, and something being useful. Spanish splits these into distinct verbs. This causes confusion because learners default to trabajar (which only applies to people working). Here’s how the three verbs break down:
- Funcionar: Used for objects (machines, devices, systems) and abstract ideas (plans, strategies). It means “to function or operate.” Example: “Mi teléfono no funciona” (my phone doesn’t work).
- Servir: Used for objects that are useful or fit for purpose, and also for food that is still fresh. Example: “Este cuchillo no sirve” (this knife is useless/blunt). Or “esta leche ya no sirve” (this milk has expired).
- Trabajar: Used only for people, not objects. Example: “Mi mamá trabaja en un hospital” (my mom works at a hospital). Never say “la máquina no trabaja” — that will confuse a native speaker.
Once you internalize this division, you’ll stop reaching for trabajar every time something breaks. The key is to think about whether you’re talking about operation (funcionar) or usefulness/expiration (servir).
“No Funciona” Is Your Go-To For Machines And Systems
When in doubt, no funciona is the most reliable option. Spanishdict’s No Funciona Translation confirms that this phrase covers the general sense of a device or system not operating. It’s the equivalent of “it’s broken” or “it’s on the fritz.”
| Verb | Meaning | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Funcionar | To function / operate | Machines, devices, plans, systems |
| Servir | To be useful / fit for purpose | Useless items, expired food, tools |
| Trabajar | To work (people) | Employment, chores, labor |
| Andar | To run / go (informal) | Regional slang for funcionar (e.g., “no anda”) |
| Valer | To be worth | Often used as “no vale” = it’s no good |
Stick with no funciona until you’re comfortable with the nuances. Native speakers will understand what you mean even if the context isn’t perfect.
When To Use “No Sirve” Instead
No sirve carries the implication that something is useless or not fulfilling its purpose. While no funciona suggests a mechanical failure, no sirve can also cover situations where the item works but is ineffective or no longer suitable.
Here are typical scenarios where no sirve is a better choice:
- Broken tool: “Este destornillador no sirve” (this screwdriver is useless — maybe it’s stripped or the wrong size).
- Expired food: “Estos huevos ya no sirven” (these eggs are no good — they’ve gone bad). You would not use no funciona for food.
- Ineffective plan: “Esa idea no sirve” (that idea is worthless). Here no funciona could also work, but no sirve feels more dismissive.
- Unusable service: “Mi plan de datos no sirve” (my data plan is useless — perhaps it’s too slow or doesn’t cover my area).
- Defective product: “Este cargador no sirve” (this charger doesn’t work — may physically work but doesn’t charge properly).
The nuance is subtle but important. Think of no funciona as “it doesn’t operate” and no sirve as “it’s no good for what I need.”
Real-Life Examples From Native Speakers
Seeing both phrases in context helps cement the difference. Reverso’s No Funciona Contexts provides dozens of real-world sentences that show how no funciona and no sirve are used naturally. For instance, “El sistema no funciona” (the system doesn’t work) for a login portal, versus “Esta aplicación no sirve para nada” (this app is useless).
| Context | Spanish Phrase | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator stuck | El ascensor no funciona | The elevator isn’t working |
| Blunt scissors | Estas tijeras no sirven | These scissors are useless |
| Broken phone screen | La pantalla no funciona | The screen doesn’t work |
Notice that in the last example, you could also say “la pantalla no sirve” if the screen is so cracked it’s unusable, though no funciona is more neutral. Many native speakers use them interchangeably in casual speech, but being aware of the nuance helps you sound more natural.
The Bottom Line
To say “it doesn’t work” in Spanish, start with no funciona for machines, devices, and systems. When you want to emphasize that something is useless or expired, use no sirve. Never use trabajar for objects. With practice, the choice will become automatic.
If you’re taking structured lessons, a certified Spanish teacher (such as one with DELE examiner credentials) can help you drill these verb distinctions in context, especially if your goal is to speak naturally in a specific region like Mexico versus Spain.