giro
“giro” means “turn” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
turn, spin
Also: curve
📝 In Action
Tienes que dar un giro a la derecha en la esquina.
A2You have to make a turn to the right at the corner.
El patinador hizo un giro perfecto sobre el hielo.
B1The skater made a perfect spin on the ice.
shift, twist
Also: reversal
📝 In Action
La crisis provocó un giro radical en la política económica del gobierno.
B2The crisis caused a radical shift in the government's economic policy.
El libro tiene un giro argumental que nadie espera.
B1The book has a plot twist that no one expects.
money order, wire transfer
Also: draft
📝 In Action
Necesito hacer un giro de 500 dólares a México.
B1I need to make a transfer (or money order) of 500 dollars to Mexico.
El banco me cobró una comisión por el giro.
B2The bank charged me a fee for the transfer.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: giro
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'giro' in its financial sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'girar' (to turn), which ultimately traces back to the Late Latin word *gyrus*, meaning 'circle' or 'ring.' All the meanings of 'giro' relate back to the idea of turning or completing a circle.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'giro' y 'vuelta'?
'Giro' often emphasizes the action of turning, especially in a specific direction (like turning left), or a change in policy/plot. 'Vuelta' often refers to a full rotation, a lap, a return trip, or a stroll.
¿El sustantivo 'giro' tiene algo que ver con el verbo 'girar'?
Sí, totalmente. 'Giro' (the noun) is the result or the action itself of 'girar' (the verb, meaning 'to turn'). Think of 'giro' as 'a turn' and 'girar' as 'to make a turn.'