faltarles

Faltarles is a Spanish verbal construction built from the verb faltar combined with the indirect object pronoun les. It expresses that something is missing or lacking for someone or a group. In this pattern, the thing that is missing is the grammatical subject of the clause, and the pronoun les marks for whom the lack is experienced (for example, a ustedes, a ellos, a ellas). The verb agrees with the missing thing in number, while the indirect object indicates the beneficiary of the lack.

Usage and examples:

- A ustedes les falta dinero. You all are short on money.

- A ellos les faltan tres euros. They are three euros short.

- Nos falta tiempo para terminar. We lack time to finish.

- ¿Les falta algo? Is there something missing for you all?

- Faltan cinco minutos. Five minutes remain. (impersonal construction without a specific indirect object)

Notes:

- The construction is common for talking about time, money, materials, skills, or opportunities that someone lacks.

- It contrasts with faltar a, a more general meaning of “to miss” in the sense of not attending or failing to keep a commitment, as in faltar a una cita.

- When referring to a singular missing item, the verb often takes a singular form (falta), and with plural items it may take the plural (faltan), depending on what is stated.

- Other related forms include me falta, te falta, le falta, nos falta, os falta, les falta, and their plural equivalents, which adapt to the person or people involved.