girar alrededor
/xiɾaɾ alrededoɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "circumgyrate" is translated into Spanish as girar alrededor.
This phrase is used to describe the action of moving in a circle around a central point or object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb girar (to turn/rotate) and the adverbial phrase alrededor (around/around it).
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying the object being circled, you must add the preposition de after alrededor.
How do you pronounce it?
/xiɾaɾ alrededoɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, girar is the standard term for turning a steering wheel, whereas the action of the car itself turning a corner is often expressed as doblar.
- The verb girar has a rare doublet yirar that means the same thing, though it is almost never used in modern conversation.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, you can use the single word rodear to express the idea of moving around or encircling something, which avoids the need for the longer girar alrededor de.
Examples in context
- El planeta debe girar alrededor del sol.The planet must revolve around the sun.
- El carrusel no deja de girar alrededor de su eje.The carousel won't stop spinning around its axis.
- La Tierra tarda un año en girar alrededor del sol.The Earth takes a year to orbit around the sun.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a model of the solar system.
- SofíaMira cómo los planetas girar alrededor del sol.Look at how the planets revolve around the sun.
- AlejandroEs increíble que todos lo hagan así.It is incredible that they all do it like that.
- Sofía¿Sabes cuánto tiempo tardan en girar alrededor?Do you know how long they take to circle around?
- AlejandroDepende de la distancia al sol, Sofía.It depends on the distance to the sun, Sofia.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alrededor, girar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
