ELONIO
Log inSign up

Según mi jefa, hace falta paciencia y suerte para el último paso del proyecto.

Según mi jefa, hace falta paciencia y suerte para el último paso del proyecto.
According to my boss, patience and luck are needed for the last step of the project.
FromLesson 14inHardcore Spanish (Spain)

Questions & Answers about Según mi jefa, hace falta paciencia y suerte para el último paso del proyecto.

What does the expression "hace falta" mean, and how is it structured?

Hace falta is an impersonal expression meaning it’s necessary / it takes / one needs. Common patterns:

  • hace falta + noun: Hace falta paciencia.
  • hace falta + infinitive: Hace falta esperar.
  • hace falta que + subjunctive: Hace falta que tengas paciencia.
With two things (paciencia y suerte), should it be "hace falta" or "hacen falta"?

Both occur, but here hace falta is more natural because the nouns are abstract. General guideline:

  • With abstract or uncountable ideas, speakers often keep the verb singular: Hace falta paciencia y suerte.
  • With clearly countable plurals, agreement is common: Hacen falta tres voluntarios. Both forms are accepted in many contexts.
How do I negate this expression?

Use no hace falta:

  • No hace falta esperar.
  • No hace falta que vengas (subjunctive).
  • For lists, use ni… ni…: No hace falta ni paciencia ni suerte (neither… nor…).
Can I say "hace falta que + verb"? Which mood follows?
Yes. Use the subjunctive: Hace falta que tengas paciencia, Hace falta que seamos puntuales. After hace falta que, the indicative is incorrect.
Why is there a comma after "Según mi jefa"?
Because Según mi jefa is an introductory adverbial phrase giving the source of the information. Spanish typically uses a comma after such initial modifiers.
Is "Según mi jefa" the same as "Mi jefa dice que..."?

Similar, but with nuance:

  • Según mi jefa cites the source in a neutral, report-like way and can imply mild distance (“that’s her view”).
  • Mi jefa dice que… frames it as reported speech from her directly. Both are fine stylistically.
Does "según" force any particular tense or mood in the clause?
No. Según is just “according to.” It doesn’t trigger the subjunctive by itself. The verb that follows is chosen by normal rules (here, hace is indicative present).
Do I say "según yo" or "según mí"?
Use según yo/tú/él…, not según mí/ti. Example: Según yo, esto es correcto. With nouns, just use the noun: Según mi jefa.
Any gender or cultural nuance in "mi jefa"?
Jefa is the feminine of jefe (“boss”). In Spain, mi jefa straightforwardly means “my (female) boss.” Note: in some Latin American slang (e.g., Mexico), mi jefa can mean “my mom,” but not in Spain in this context.
Why is there no article before "paciencia" and "suerte"?
Abstract/uncountable nouns in Spanish often appear without an article when speaking generally about what’s needed: Hace falta paciencia; Hace falta suerte. Adding articles here would usually sound odd.
Could I say "Hace falta la paciencia y la suerte"?
Generally no in this context. With hacer falta, the bare noun is the norm for general needs. Articles may appear in different structures (e.g., La paciencia y la suerte son importantes), but not typically after hace falta in this sense.
Why is it "para el último paso…" and not "por el último paso…"?
  • Para expresses purpose/goal: what is needed for doing that step.
  • Por would suggest cause/reason or movement through, and por el último paso would be wrong here. You could also say en el último paso if you mean “at/during the last step,” which is a different nuance.
Is "último" the best choice, or could I use "final"?

Both are fine:

  • Último paso = the last step in a sequence (most common).
  • Paso final = final step (very similar). For larger phases, you might hear fase final or etapa final.
Why "último" and not "última"?
Adjectives agree with the noun. Paso is masculine singular, so último. If it were fase/etapa (feminine), it would be la última fase/etapa.
What does "del" mean in "del proyecto"?
Del is the contraction of de + el. Spanish requires the contraction: del proyecto, not “de el proyecto.” Similarly, a + el → al.
Can I change the word order?

Yes. Spanish is flexible with adverbials:

  • Hace falta paciencia y suerte para el último paso del proyecto, según mi jefa.
  • Para el último paso del proyecto, hace falta paciencia y suerte, según mi jefa. All are acceptable; choose for emphasis and flow.
Any pronunciation tips for Spain?
  • J in jefa: harsh h-like sound .
  • Ce in hace: in most of Spain, /θ/ like English “th” in “think” (ha-θe).
  • Según: stress the last syllable (se-GÚN); último: ÚL-ti-mo.
Is "hace falta de" correct?
No. You say hacer falta + noun/infinitive/que, without de. For example: Hace falta dinero, not “hace falta de dinero.”
What are natural alternatives to "hace falta"?
  • Se necesita paciencia y suerte…
  • Es necesario tener paciencia y suerte…
  • Necesitamos paciencia y suerte… (if you want to personalize the subject)
How do I put "hacer falta" in other tenses?
  • Past: Hacía falta (it was needed, generally); Hizo falta (it was needed at a specific moment).
  • Future: Hará falta (it will be needed).
  • Conditional: Haría falta (it would be needed). Agreement follows the same principles as in the present.
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Spanish grammar?”
Spanish grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Spanish

Master Spanish — from Según mi jefa, hace falta paciencia y suerte para el último paso del proyecto to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Spanish→