How to Say "spinning" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “spinning” is “girando” — use 'girando' when referring to something that is rotating rapidly on an axis, like a wheel turning or a person spinning around..
girando
/hee-RAHN-doh//xiˈɾando/
Examples
El ventilador está girando muy rápido.
The fan is spinning very fast.
El coche está girando a la izquierda.
The car is turning left.
Las aspas del molino están girando rápido.
The windmill blades are spinning fast.
Sigue girando el volante hasta que el coche esté recto.
Keep turning the steering wheel until the car is straight.
The 'Doing' Form
Girando is the '-ing' form (gerund) of the verb girar. Use it with the verb 'estar' (to be) to talk about things happening right now.
Using it as a Noun
Mistake: “Saying 'Girando es difícil' for 'Turning is difficult'.”
Correction: Say 'Girar es difícil'. In Spanish, you use the base verb (infinitive) when the action is the subject of the sentence.
rodando
/ro-DAN-do//roˈðando/
Examples
La rueda de repuesto fue rodando hasta detenerse.
The spare tire went rolling until it stopped.
La pelota bajó rodando por la colina.
The ball went rolling down the hill.
Las lágrimas estaban rodando por sus mejillas.
Tears were rolling down her cheeks.
Action in Progress
This word ends in '-ando', which is like adding '-ing' in English. It describes something moving or happening right now.
Rolling Up vs. Rolling Down
Mistake: “Using rodando to mean rolling up a poster.”
Correction: Use 'enrollando' for rolling things up into a tube; 'rodando' is for things moving across a surface.
Girando vs. Rodando
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.