Inklingo
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turno

/TOOR-noh/

turn

Three simple, brightly colored cartoon figures standing in a straight line, waiting patiently for their turn.

Turno means 'turn' when referring to a sequence or rotation.

turno(noun)

mA1

turn

?

sequence or rotation

Also:

go

?

in a game

,

queue number

?

waiting in line (e.g., at the doctor's office)

📝 In Action

Por favor, espera tu turno para hablar con el doctor.

A1

Please wait your turn to speak with the doctor.

¡Genial! Ahora es mi turno de lanzar los dados.

A2

Great! Now it's my turn to throw the dice.

Tomé un número y perdí mi turno.

A2

I took a number and missed my turn.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vez (time, occurrence)
  • cabeza (front (of the line))

Common Collocations

  • pedir el turno – to ask for one's turn
  • perder el turno – to lose one's turn

💡 Grammar Points

Possessive Adjectives

To say 'my turn,' 'your turn,' etc., you use possessive adjectives: 'mi turno', 'tu turno', 'su turno'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'vez' instead of 'turno'

Mistake: "Incorrectly saying 'Es mi vez.'"

Correction: Use 'turno' when talking about a sequence or rotation. 'Vez' usually means 'time' or 'occurrence' (e.g., 'once upon a time,' 'every time').

⭐ Usage Tips

Asking Whose Turn It Is

The simplest way to ask is: '¿De quién es el turno?' (Whose is the turn?).

A simple, dark blue factory building shown at night. A single window glows brightly with yellow light, indicating a work shift is currently active.

Turno can also mean 'shift,' referring to a specific work period like the night shift.

turno(noun)

mB1

shift

?

work period (e.g., night shift)

,

session

?

academic period or time slot

Also:

tour of duty

?

military/official

,

round

?

classes or meetings

📝 In Action

Ella prefiere trabajar en el turno de la tarde porque hay menos tráfico.

B1

She prefers to work the afternoon shift because there is less traffic.

Mi universidad ofrece clases en el turno matutino y vespertino.

B1

My university offers classes in the morning session and the evening session.

Tenemos tres turnos: mañana, tarde y noche.

B2

We have three shifts: morning, afternoon, and night.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • jornada (work day)
  • horario (schedule)

Common Collocations

  • turno de noche – night shift
  • turno partido – split shift (lunch break divides the work day)

💡 Grammar Points

Prepositions with Shifts

You generally use the preposition 'en' (in/on) when describing which shift someone works: 'trabajar en el turno de noche'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'turno' and 'tiempo'

Mistake: "Saying 'el tiempo de noche' for 'night shift'."

Correction: Use 'turno' when referring to a specific block of time assigned for work or school. 'Tiempo' is a general term for time or weather.

⭐ Usage Tips

Shift Terminology

The most common shift terms are 'turno de mañana' (morning shift), 'turno de tarde' (afternoon/evening shift), and 'turno de noche' (night shift).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: turno

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'turno' to mean a time segment or work period?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

turnar(to take turns) - verb
turnarse(to rotate duties) - reflexive verb

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use 'vez' versus 'turno'?

'Turno' refers to a specific spot in a rotation, queue, or schedule (like a time slot or a specific sequence). 'Vez' is more general, meaning 'time' or 'instance' (e.g., '¿Cuántas veces has ido?' - How many times have you gone?).