Which to use
“función” is a noun and “funcionan” is a verb - they look or sound alike but fill different roles in a sentence.
- #1,196
- “función” frequency rank
- #4,605
- “funcionan” frequency rank
- 5801
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | función | funcionan |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Propósito de algo, uso de algo. | Tercera persona del plural (ellos, ellas; ustedes, 2.ª persona) del presente de indicativo de funcionar. |
Where the eye mixes función and funcionan
Muted = shared; highlighted = the visual trap. They share 6 letters in sequence.
Visual trap between función and funcionan
These two trip readers on the page rather than in the ear: función is [fũnˈsjõn] while funcionan is [fũnˈsjonãn]. Spoken aloud the problem disappears. In writing it persists, because they differ by 2 letter(s) in length, and the parts of speech differ too (noun vs verb), which is usually the fastest check. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 5801, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
función is recorded at frequency rank #1,196, classified as anoun, pronounced [fũnˈsjõn]. funcionan is at rank #4,605, tagged as averb, pronounced [fũnˈsjonãn].
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 5801, this pair ranks #312,620 of 323,831 scored Spanish confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of función vs funcionan
Shared letters: cfinu. Private to "función": ó. Private to "funcionan": ao.
"función" · 7 letters · shape CVCCVVC · "funcionan" · 9 letters · shape CVCCVVCVC
Known mistypes of this pair
- funcionan ← ffuncionan · fnucionan · fucnionan · funccionan · funcinoan · funcioann · funcionann · funcionnan
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "función" and "funcionan" be used interchangeably?
In ordinary Spanish text, does "función" or "funcionan" show up more?
After this comparison
Pronunciation already separates them, if the page still looks alike, the dictionary links below settle it.
- Full dictionary entry for "función" with definition, IPA, and generated misspellings. Word entry
- Full dictionary entry for "funcionan" - compare definitions side by side with the headword page. Word entry
- This pair ranks #312,620 of 323,831 scored Spanish confusable pairs in this corpus vintage. Corpus statistics
- "función" and "funcionan" also get mixed up with nearby pairs, the highest-scored neighbour is "funcionan vs fusionan". Nearby pair
- Recorded mistypes exist for at least one side of this pair, useful when a spell-checker or OCR lands on the wrong form. See mistypes
Confusion rank #312,620 of 323,831 scored Spanish pairs, corpus vintage 2026-09-03, not spelling advice.