giro a la izquierda
/xiɾo a la iθkjeɾda/from spelling rules
The English phrase "left turn" is translated into Spanish as giro a la izquierda.
giro a la izquierda is used to describe the act of turning ninety degrees to one's left.
Meaning: to turn ninety degrees to one's left (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of giro (turn/rotation), a (to), la (the) and izquierda (left).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires, the variation doblar a la zurda is used. In many Latin American-speaking countries, the verb doblar is more commonly used than girar to mean 'to turn' in the context of driving or walking.
How does it change in a sentence?
While giro a la izquierda is a noun phrase meaning "a left turn", the infinitive verb form girar a la izquierda is used to express the action "to turn left".
How do you pronounce it?
/xiɾo a la iθkjeɾda/
Did you know?
- While izquierda refers to the direction, the word siniestro persists in Spanish to mean 'sinister' or 'creepy'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, using doblar for a turn is more common than girar, even though doblar literally means 'to fold'.
- The word izquierda was originally a Basque loanword, displacing the Latin-derived word siniestra to denote the left side.
Examples in context
- Gire a la izquierda en la próxima intersecciónTurn left at the next intersection
- Puedes girar a la izquierda después de cruzar el puente.You can turn left after crossing the bridge.
- Dobla a la izquierda en la siguiente esquina y encontrarás la plaza en frente.Turn left at the next corner, and you will find the square in front of you.
- En la próxima esquina, hace un giro a la izquierda.At the next corner, he makes a left turn.
- Después del semáforo, debes dar un giro a la izquierda.After the traffic light, you must make a left turn.
- El conductor hizo un giro a la izquierda inesperado.The driver made an unexpected left turn.
Example conversation
Lucía is giving driving directions to Daniel over the phone.
- LucíaDaniel, cuando llegues a la gasolinera, haz un giro a la izquierda.Daniel, when you arrive at the gas station, make a left turn.
- Daniel¿Un giro a la izquierda después de la gasolinera?A left turn after the gas station?
- LucíaSí, es una calle pequeña.Yes, it is a small street.
- DanielEntendido, ya lo veo.Understood, I see it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, giro, izquierda, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
