faltar (escasear)

Word: faltar

Meaning: "Faltar" is a Spanish verb meaning "to lack," "to be missing," or "to be absent." It is often used to indicate something that is missing or is not present as expected.

Usage and explanation:

1. To be missing or absent:

   • Used when something or someone is not present.
   • Example: Hoy falta Juan en la reunión. (Juan is absent from the meeting today.)

2. To lack or be lacking:

   • Indicates that something is insufficient or does not exist.
   • Example: Nos falta dinero para comprar el coche. (We lack money to buy the car.)

3. To express time or quantity remaining:

   • Often used impersonally with time to mean "to remain" or "to be left."
   • Example: Faltan diez minutos para llegar. (There are ten minutes left to arrive.)

Parts of the verb:

• It is a regular -ar verb.
• Example conjugation in present tense: yo falto, tú faltas, él/ella falta, nosotros/nosotras faltamos, vosotros/vosotras faltáis, ellos/ellas faltan.

Synonyms:

• Carecer (to lack)
• Ausentar (to be absent)
• Escasear (to be scarce)
• Sobrar (in some contexts, opposite of faltar)

Antonyms:

• Encontrar (to find)
• Haber (there is/are)
• Sobrar (to be left over, in the context of quantity)
• Tener (to have)

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Overall, "faltar" is an important verb to express absence, insufficiency, or remaining quantities/time in Spanish.