Inklingo

How to Say "shift" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “shift” is “mueven” — use 'mueven' when referring to the general action of people moving or relocating items or objects from one place to another..

mueven🔊A1

Use 'mueven' when referring to the general action of people moving or relocating items or objects from one place to another.

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mueva🔊A2

Use the command form 'mueva' (usted/él/ella) when asking someone to change the position of an object or person.

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muevan🔊A2

Use 'muevan' (ustedes/ellos/ellas) as a command or urgent request for multiple people to move something.

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cambio🔊A1

Use 'cambio' for a general change, alteration, or transition, especially in state or position, or a mechanical gear change.

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turno🔊B1

Use 'turno' specifically for a scheduled work period, like a day shift, night shift, or rotating shift.

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giro🔊B1

Use 'giro' when referring to a significant change in direction, policy, opinion, or a turning point.

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guardia🔊B1

Use 'guardia' in the specific context of being on duty or on call, typically for emergency services or security.

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English → Spanish

mueven

MWEH-vehn/ˈmwe.βen/

verbA1general
Use 'mueven' when referring to the general action of people moving or relocating items or objects from one place to another.
Two large, colorful geometric blocks sliding across a smooth wooden floor, clearly in motion.

Examples

Los trabajadores mueven las cajas pesadas al camión.

The workers move the heavy boxes to the truck.

¿Por qué no se mueven? Tenemos prisa.

Why aren't they moving? We are in a hurry.

Ustedes mueven la reunión a la tarde, ¿verdad?

You (plural, formal) are moving the meeting to the afternoon, right?

The 'O' to 'UE' Change

In the present tense, the 'o' inside the verb stem changes to 'ue' whenever the stress falls on that syllable (like in 'mueven'). The only exceptions are 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' (movemos, movéis).

mueva

MWEH-vah/ˈmwe.βa/

verbA2general
Use the command form 'mueva' (usted/él/ella) when asking someone to change the position of an object or person.
A simple illustration of a small red cube sliding across a flat, bright blue surface, clearly indicating movement and a shift in position.

Examples

Por favor, mueva el coche de aquí.

Please, move the car from here.

Mi jefe quiere que yo mueva la reunión al jueves.

My boss wants me to move the meeting to Thursday.

Dudo que la nueva ley mueva la economía tan rápido.

I doubt that the new law will move the economy so quickly.

Dual Role of 'Mueva'

'Mueva' has two main functions: it is the formal command (Usted, telling someone to move) and it is the special verb form (subjunctive) used after expressions of desire, doubt, or necessity (for 'yo', 'él/ella', and 'usted').

Stem Change E → UE

The base verb 'mover' is irregular. The 'o' changes to 'ue' in most present tense forms, but 'mueva' comes from the 'e' changing to 'ue' in the root, which then influences the subjunctive forms.

Forgetting the Subjunctive

Mistake: “Quiero que él mueve la caja.”

Correction: Quiero que él mueva la caja. (Spanish requires this special verb form when the subject of the desire is different from the subject of the action.)

muevan

/MWEH-bahn//ˈmwe.βan/

verbA2general
Use 'muevan' (ustedes/ellos/ellas) as a command or urgent request for multiple people to move something.
Three stylized figures wearing brightly colored outfits walking swiftly together across a green field, illustrating the command for a group to move.

Examples

¡Muevan esos coches inmediatamente! No podemos pasar.

Move those cars immediately! We can't get through.

El jefe quiere que ustedes muevan la reunión a la tarde.

The boss wants you all to move the meeting to the afternoon.

Espero que los vientos no muevan las velas tan rápido.

I hope the winds don't move the sails so quickly.

Dual Role: Command or Wish

The form 'muevan' is used both as a formal command to a group of people (ustedes) and as the special verb form (subjunctive) when talking about what you want, doubt, or request that they (ellos/ellas) or you all (ustedes) do.

Stem Change Reminder

The base verb 'mover' changes its vowel 'o' to 'ue' whenever the stress is on that part of the word. This happens in 'muevan' but not in 'movamos' (we move).

Confusing Imperative Forms

Mistake: “Using 'mueven' (present tense) instead of 'muevan' for a command: 'Ustedes mueven la caja.'”

Correction: Use 'muevan' for the formal command: '¡Muevan la caja!' (Move the box!). 'Mueven' just states a fact; 'Muevan' gives the order.

cambio

/KAHM-byoh//ˈkambjo/

nounA1general
Use 'cambio' for a general change, alteration, or transition, especially in state or position, or a mechanical gear change.
A large, colorful pile of various coins (gold, silver, and copper) representing small change or currency exchange.

Examples

Necesito un cambio en mi vida.

I need a change in my life.

Perdón, ¿tiene cambio de un billete de 20 euros?

Excuse me, do you have change for a 20 euro bill?

El tipo de cambio hoy es favorable para el dólar.

The exchange rate today is favorable for the dollar.

Using 'a cambio de'

This little phrase is super useful. It means 'in exchange for'. You can say, 'Te ayudo con tu tarea a cambio de un café.' (I'll help you with your homework in exchange for a coffee.)

Forgetting its Gender

Mistake: “La cambio es bueno.”

Correction: El cambio es bueno. Remember that 'cambio' is a masculine word, so it uses 'el' and 'un'.

turno

TOOR-noh/ˈtuɾ.no/

nounB1general
Use 'turno' specifically for a scheduled work period, like a day shift, night shift, or rotating shift.
A simple, dark blue factory building shown at night. A single window glows brightly with yellow light, indicating a work shift is currently active.

Examples

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

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

Mi universidad ofrece clases en el turno matutino y vespertino.

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

Tenemos tres turnos: mañana, tarde y noche.

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

Prepositions with Shifts

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

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.

giro

/HEE-roh//ˈxi.ɾo/

nounB1general
Use 'giro' when referring to a significant change in direction, policy, opinion, or a turning point.
A thick blue arrow pointing straight up, followed immediately by an identical thick red arrow pointing sharply to the left, illustrating a significant change in trajectory.

Examples

La crisis provocó un giro radical en la política económica del gobierno.

The crisis caused a radical shift in the government's economic policy.

El libro tiene un giro argumental que nadie espera.

The book has a plot twist that no one expects.

guardia

/gwar-dya//ˈɡwar.ðja/

nounB1formal
Use 'guardia' in the specific context of being on duty or on call, typically for emergency services or security.
A uniformed firefighter sitting patiently at a small desk inside a fire station, ready to respond to a call.

Examples

El médico está de guardia esta noche en urgencias.

The doctor is on duty tonight in the emergency room.

Mi próxima guardia es el sábado, así que no puedo ir a la fiesta.

My next shift is Saturday, so I can't go to the party.

Hicieron guardia en la frontera durante seis horas.

They kept watch at the border for six hours.

Using 'De Guardia'

To express that someone is currently working their shift or is available for emergencies, use the structure 'estar de guardia' (to be on duty).

Movement Verbs vs. Nouns

Learners often confuse the verb forms 'mueven', 'mueva', 'muevan' (all meaning to move something physically) with the noun 'cambio' (a change or alteration). Remember that 'mueven' and its conjugations are about physical relocation, while 'cambio' refers to a transformation or difference.

Related Translations

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