Inklingo

How to Say "turn" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “turn” is “turno” — use 'turno' when referring to a turn in a sequence, rotation, or schedule, like waiting for your turn to speak or a scheduled shift.

turno🔊A1

Use 'turno' when referring to a turn in a sequence, rotation, or schedule, like waiting for your turn to speak or a scheduled shift.

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vez🔊B1

Use 'vez' for whose turn it is in a game, a queue, or a series of events.

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vuelta🔊A2

Use 'vuelta' to describe a rotation, spin, or a full circuit, like a car making a turn or a complete spin.

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giro🔊A2

Use 'giro' for a physical movement or a change in direction, especially when making a turn at an intersection.

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curva🔊A1

Use 'curva' specifically for a bend or curve in a road or path, implying a change in direction.

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hora🔊A2

Use 'hora' when 'turn' refers to a scheduled time slot or the time something is supposed to happen.

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chance🔊A2

Use 'chance' for an opportunity or a single attempt, similar to 'a chance to prove myself'.

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jugada🔊A2

Use 'jugada' in a sports context to mean a move, play, or turn within the game.

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pasada🔊A2

Use 'pasada' to refer to a quick stop or a brief visit, like making a turn into a store.

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rueda🔊B1

Use 'rueda' in the specific context of a press conference ('rueda de prensa'), meaning a gathering or circle of reporters.

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revuelta🔊B1

Use 'revuelta' to describe a winding path or a bend in a road.

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póngaseB1

Use 'póngase' (from ponerse) when 'turn' implies a change of state or condition, like 'turn comfortable' or 'turn red'.

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revoluciónC1

Use 'revolución' for a complete 360-degree spin or rotation, like a planet's orbit.

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English → Spanish

turno

TOOR-nohˈtuɾ.no

nounA1
Use 'turno' when referring to a turn in a sequence, rotation, or schedule, like waiting for your turn to speak or a scheduled shift.
Three simple, brightly colored cartoon figures standing in a straight line, waiting patiently for their turn.

Examples

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

Please wait your turn to speak with the doctor.

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

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

Tomé un número y perdí mi turno.

I took a number and missed my turn.

Possessive Adjectives

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

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').

vez

besbeθ

nounB1
Use 'vez' for whose turn it is in a game, a queue, or a series of events.
Three people in a line, with the person at the front holding a board game piece, indicating it is their turn to play.

Examples

¿De quién es la vez?

Whose turn is it?

Ahora es mi vez de hablar.

Now it's my turn to speak.

Espera tu vez, por favor.

Wait for your turn, please.

vuelta

bwel-taˈbwelta

nounA2
Use 'vuelta' to describe a rotation, spin, or a full circuit, like a car making a turn or a complete spin.
A colorful wooden spinning top actively rotating on a flat surface, illustrating a turn or rotation.

Examples

El coche dio una vuelta completa y se detuvo.

The car made a full turn and stopped.

El corredor va por su última vuelta.

The runner is on his last lap.

Pasamos a la segunda vuelta de las elecciones.

We moved on to the second round of the elections.

En la próxima vuelta, te toca a ti lanzar los dados.

In the next turn, it's your turn to throw the dice.

Confusing 'Vuelta' with 'Vez'

Mistake: “Using 'vuelta' to mean 'time' or 'occasion'.”

Correction: 'Vez' means a specific instance (e.g., 'una vez' - one time). 'Vuelta' as a 'turn' or 'round' refers to a cycle or a part of a sequence, like in a game or election.

giro

HEE-rohˈxi.ɾo

nounA2
Use 'giro' for a physical movement or a change in direction, especially when making a turn at an intersection.
A winding, paved path making a sharp 90-degree turn to the right through a bright green field.

Examples

Tienes que dar un giro a la derecha en la esquina.

You have to make a turn to the right at the corner.

El patinador hizo un giro perfecto sobre el hielo.

The skater made a perfect spin on the ice.

Using 'vuelta' and 'giro'

Mistake: “Using 'vuelta' when referring to a specific directional turn (like driving).”

Correction: 'Giro' is better for specific directional turns (left/right). 'Vuelta' often means a lap, a round trip, or a full circle.

curva

KOOR-vahˈkuɾ.βa

nounA1
Use 'curva' specifically for a bend or curve in a road or path, implying a change in direction.
A winding, smooth S-shaped path made of dirt crossing a grassy field.

Examples

Tuvimos que reducir la velocidad por la curva peligrosa.

We had to slow down because of the dangerous curve.

Dibuja una curva suave que conecte los dos puntos.

Draw a smooth curve connecting the two points.

El río tiene muchas curvas antes de llegar al mar.

The river has many bends before reaching the sea.

Gender Check

Remember that 'curva' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (la curva, una curva peligrosa).

hora

OH-rahˈoɾa

nounA2
Use 'hora' when 'turn' refers to a scheduled time slot or the time something is supposed to happen.
A friendly doctor in a white coat shaking hands with a patient at the doorway of an office, symbolizing a scheduled appointment or meeting time.

Examples

¿A qué hora empieza la clase?

What time does the class start?

Ya es hora de cenar.

It's time for dinner now.

Tengo hora con la dentista el viernes.

I have an appointment with the dentist on Friday.

'Hora de' + Action

Use the pattern 'hora de + [the base form of a verb]' to say it's time to do something. For example, 'Es hora de estudiar' (It's time to study).

Confusing 'hora' and 'tiempo'

Mistake: “No tengo una hora para ayudarte.”

Correction: No tengo tiempo para ayudarte. Use 'hora' for clock time or appointments. Use 'tiempo' for the general concept of time or an amount of time.

chance

chahn-sehˈtʃanse

nounA2informal
Use 'chance' for an opportunity or a single attempt, similar to 'a chance to prove myself'.
A small, cheerful person standing in a dark hallway, looking excitedly at a large, brightly illuminated open doorway leading to a sunny, inviting landscape.

Examples

Solo necesito un chance para demostrar mi valor.

I just need one chance to prove my worth.

Si me das un chance, puedo arreglarlo.

If you give me a shot, I can fix it.

Llegué tarde y perdí el chance de verla.

I arrived late and missed the opportunity to see her.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'chance' sounds like an English word, in Spanish it is always masculine, so you must use 'el chance' or 'un chance'.

Using 'La Chance'

Mistake: “La chance”

Correction: El chance. Remember that this word is masculine.

jugada

hoo-GAH-dahxuˈɣaða

nounA2sports
Use 'jugada' in a sports context to mean a move, play, or turn within the game.
A close-up of a wooden chessboard where a friendly cartoon hand is gently lifting a white knight chess piece off its square, symbolizing a move.

Examples

Fue una jugada brillante del delantero, por eso metió el gol.

It was a brilliant play by the forward, that's why he scored the goal.

Ahora te toca a ti. ¿Cuál es tu próxima jugada?

Now it's your turn. What is your next move?

El entrenador diseñó una jugada secreta para el último cuarto.

The coach designed a secret play for the last quarter.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'jugada' comes from the verb 'jugar,' it is a feminine noun, so you must always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

pasada

pah-SAH-dahpaˈsaða

nounA2
Use 'pasada' to refer to a quick stop or a brief visit, like making a turn into a store.
A colorful illustration showing a simplified person running quickly past a stationary green tree, depicting movement.

Examples

Solo dimos una pasada por la tienda porque no teníamos tiempo.

We only made a quick stop by the store because we didn't have time.

Le di una rápida pasada a mi discurso antes de subir al escenario.

I gave my speech a quick run-through before going on stage.

Verb-Noun Pairing

This noun is almost always used with the verb 'dar' (to give) or 'hacer' (to make) when referring to a quick action: 'dar una pasada' (to give a quick look/go).

Using 'Paso' Instead

Mistake: “Hice un paso al texto.”

Correction: Hice una pasada al texto. ('Paso' means 'step' or 'pace'; 'pasada' means 'a quick look over' or 'a turn').

rueda

RWEH-dahˈrweða

nounB1formal
Use 'rueda' in the specific context of a press conference ('rueda de prensa'), meaning a gathering or circle of reporters.
Five diverse children standing close together, holding hands, forming a perfect circle on a green field.

Examples

El periodista preguntó en la rueda de prensa.

The journalist asked a question at the press conference (circle of press).

Hicimos una rueda para discutir el proyecto.

We formed a circle/group to discuss the project.

¡Invito yo la próxima rueda de cervezas!

I'll buy the next round of beers!

revuelta

rreh-vwehl-tahreˈβwelta

nounB1
Use 'revuelta' to describe a winding path or a bend in a road.
A winding road curving sharply through a green grassy hill.

Examples

A la revuelta del camino verás la casa.

At the bend in the road, you will see the house.

Esta carretera tiene demasiadas revueltas.

This highway has too many turns.

Cuidado en la próxima revuelta, es muy cerrada.

Be careful at the next turn; it's very sharp.

Describing paths

When used for roads, it often implies a turn that is somewhat hidden or winds back on itself.

Revuelta vs. Vuelta

Mistake: “Saying 'dar una revuelta' to mean 'going for a walk'.”

Correction: Say 'dar una vuelta' for a walk. A 'revuelta' is the physical shape of the curve.

póngase

verbB1
Use 'póngase' (from ponerse) when 'turn' implies a change of state or condition, like 'turn comfortable' or 'turn red'.

Examples

Póngase cómodo, la reunión empezará pronto.

Get comfortable, the meeting will start soon.

revolución

nounC1
Use 'revolución' for a complete 360-degree spin or rotation, like a planet's orbit.

Examples

La Tierra completa una revolución alrededor del sol en un año.

The Earth completes one revolution around the sun in one year.

Turno vs. Vez vs. Vuelta

Learners often confuse 'turno', 'vez', and 'vuelta'. Remember 'turno' is for a scheduled turn or sequence (like waiting your turn), 'vez' is for whose turn it is in a game or queue, and 'vuelta' is for a physical rotation or spin.

Related Translations

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