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vueltas

BWEL-tahs/bwel.tas/

turns, laps

Also: spins, revolutions
NounfA2
A brightly colored simple wooden spinning top rotating quickly on a flat, light-colored surface.

📝 In Action

El atleta dio diez vueltas a la pista para calentar.

A2

The athlete did ten laps around the track to warm up.

La lavadora da muchas vueltas durante el ciclo de secado.

B1

The washing machine takes many turns during the drying cycle.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • giros (spins, turns)
  • círculos (circles)

Common Collocations

  • dar vueltas – to spin, to turn
  • dar vueltas de campana – to flip over (a car)

change

Also: the rest (of the money)
NounfA2
MexicoSpain
A close-up of one hand dropping a small handful of silver and gold coins into the open palm of a receiving hand.

📝 In Action

Aquí tiene su café y sus vueltas, señorita.

A2

Here is your coffee and your change, miss.

Perdí las vueltas en el autobús.

A2

I lost the change on the bus.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • pedir las vueltas – to ask for the change
  • no tener vueltas – not to have change

running around

Also: trips, detours
NounfB1informal
A cheerful cartoon character with shopping bags moving quickly along a winding path connecting a house, a market, and a post office, indicating multiple errands.

📝 In Action

Tuvimos que dar muchas vueltas por la ciudad buscando el documento.

B1

We had to do a lot of running around the city looking for the document.

Necesito salir a hacer unas vueltas rápidas antes de que oscurezca.

B2

I need to go out and run some quick errands before it gets dark.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • diligencias (errands, tasks)
  • paseos (strolls, walks)

consideration

Also: complications, beating around the bush
NounfC1neutral/informal
A person sitting calmly at a small table, resting their chin on their hand, looking thoughtful and contemplative.

📝 In Action

No le des tantas vueltas al asunto; es muy simple.

B2

Don't overthink the matter so much; it's very simple.

El político se anda con muchas vueltas y nunca dice la verdad.

C1

The politician beats around the bush a lot and never tells the truth.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rodeos (detours, rambling)
  • reflexiones (reflections)

Idioms & Expressions

  • darle vueltas a algo – to think something over repeatedly, to obsess about something
  • andarse con vueltas – to beat around the bush, to be evasive

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vueltas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'vueltas' to mean 'money change'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
sueltasmueltas
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'vueltas' comes from the feminine noun 'vuelta', which itself is derived from the past participle of the Latin verb *volvere*, meaning 'to roll' or 'to turn around'. This explains why all its meanings relate to movement, repetition, or returning (like change/money).

First recorded: Medieval Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: voltaFrench: volte

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'vueltas' plural when referring to change?

While the English word 'change' is singular, Spanish uses the plural form 'las vueltas' because you are typically receiving multiple coins or bills that complete the transaction. Think of it as 'the returns' or 'the rounds of money'.

Can I use 'vuelta' (singular) instead of 'vueltas' (plural)?

Yes, but the meaning shifts. 'Una vuelta' means 'a single turn,' 'a single lap,' or 'a short stroll.' 'Vueltas' (plural) usually implies multiple repetitions, errands, or the monetary change.