vueltas
/BWEL-tahs/
turns
Vueltas can mean physical turns or rotation.
vueltas(noun)
turns
?physical rotation or changes in direction
,laps
?circuits around a track or path
spins
?rotations
,revolutions
?full rotations
📝 In Action
El atleta dio diez vueltas a la pista para calentar.
A2The athlete did ten laps around the track to warm up.
La lavadora da muchas vueltas durante el ciclo de secado.
B1The washing machine takes many turns during the drying cycle.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural for Laps
When talking about repeating a circuit (laps), use the plural 'vueltas', even if you are just talking about one lap ('una vuelta').
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Dar'
The most common way to talk about turning or doing a lap is using the verb 'dar' (to give): 'dar vueltas' (to do turns/laps).
When shopping, vueltas refers to the change (money) received back.
vueltas(noun)
change
?money returned after a purchase
the rest (of the money)
?what is left over
📝 In Action
Aquí tiene su café y sus vueltas, señorita.
A2Here is your coffee and your change, miss.
Perdí las vueltas en el autobús.
A2I lost the change on the bus.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural for Money
When referring to money change, 'vueltas' is almost always used in the plural form, even though it represents a single amount.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Vueltas' and 'Cambio'
Mistake: "Using 'cambio' exclusively for money change."
Correction: While 'cambio' works, 'vueltas' specifically means the money returned to you after a purchase. 'Cambio' often refers to exchanging currency or a big life change.
If you are performing multiple errands or trips, you might say you are doing vueltas, meaning running around.
vueltas(noun)
running around
?performing multiple errands or trips
trips
?short journeys for a purpose
,detours
?taking a longer route
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que dar muchas vueltas por la ciudad buscando el documento.
B1We 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.
B2I need to go out and run some quick errands before it gets dark.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Effort
Using 'muchas vueltas' emphasizes the effort, time, or complexity involved in completing a task or journey.
Vueltas can also refer to consideration or mental review of an idea.
vueltas(noun)
consideration
?mental review or deliberation
complications
?unnecessary complexity
,beating around the bush
?avoiding the main point
📝 In Action
No le des tantas vueltas al asunto; es muy simple.
B2Don't overthink the matter so much; it's very simple.
El político se anda con muchas vueltas y nunca dice la verdad.
C1The politician beats around the bush a lot and never tells the truth.
💡 Grammar Points
Mental 'Dar'
When used figuratively, 'darle vueltas' means your mind is repeatedly going over an idea, similar to how a physical object spins.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vueltas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'vueltas' to mean 'money change'?
📚 More Resources
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.