Spanish phrase of the week

No hace falta

There's no need

B1, intermediateYou can get by in most everyday and travel situations, follow the main points when people speak clearly about familiar things, and talk about your experiences and plans.

How to use it

Hace falta means something is needed. It’s very common in Spain and often sounds more natural than necesitar.

The thing that’s needed comes after it: hace falta paciencia. If it’s plural, the verb changes too: hacen falta dos fotos.

No hace falta is the easy, friendly way to say “don’t worry” or “there’s no need” when someone offers to help or apologises for something small.

Examples

  • ¿Hace falta pedir cita?

    Do you need to book an appointment?

  • Para empadronarte te hace falta el contrato de alquiler.

    To register on the padrón you need your rental contract.

  • No hace falta, gracias.

    There's no need, thanks.

Good to know

When a person needs something, add me, te, le and so on: me hace falta un adaptador, I need an adapter.

Want to use phrases like this for real?

In a lesson we practise them out loud, in the situations you'll actually meet. Start with a free 15-minute call.

Book a free 15-minute call