no hay vuelta atrás
/no ai bwelta atɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "no turning back" is translated into Spanish as no hay vuelta atrás.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where a decision is final and it is impossible to return to a previous state.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "there is no turn back".
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression uses the impersonal form of the verb haber (in the form hay) to express existence. You can also use the variation ya no hay vuelta atrás to emphasize that the point of no return has already been reached.
Did you know?
- The word vuelta in this phrase is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'vault'. Both descend from the Latin 'volvere', which describes a turning or rolling motion.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you want to say you are at a point of no return regarding a specific path, you might use no hay marcha atrás instead.
- In Spanish, the concept of returning or turning back is often linked to the word volver, which also means 'to return home'.
Examples in context
- No hay vuelta atrás.There's no turning back.Tatoeba #1602679 by Shishir, translation #31147 by CM
- Ya no hay vuelta atrás.There's no turning back now.Tatoeba #939841 by Shishir, translation #65879 by CK
- En este proyecto, no hay vuelta atrásIn this project, there is no turning back
- Una vez firmado el contrato, no hay marcha atrásOnce the contract is signed, there is no turning back
- En esta negociación, no hay retornoIn this negotiation, there is no turning back
- Una vez que empiezas a jugar, no hay marcha atrásOnce you start playing, there is no turning back
- Después de comprar el boleto, no hay forma de dar marcha atrásAfter buying the ticket, there is no way to go back
- Una vez que firmes el contrato, no hay vuelta atrás.Once you sign the contract, there is no turning back.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing a big life move.
- MateoSi decidimos mudarnos a España, no hay vuelta atrás.If we decide to move to Spain, there is no turning back.
- ElenaLo sé, Mateo, pero estoy lista para el cambio.I know, Mateo, but I am ready for the change.
- MateoEs una decisión muy importante para ambos.It is a very important decision for both of us.
- ElenaTienes razón, pero estoy muy emocionada.You are right, but I am very excited.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atrás, hay, no, vuelta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
