rotar
/roˈtaɾ/
The Spanish verb for 'rotate' is rotar.
rotar means to spin, turn or revolve. While it can be used generally, it is often preferred for technical or mathematical contexts. For everyday actions like spinning or turning objects, the verb girar is more common. If you want to describe someone or something turning around, you can use the phrase darse la vuelta. To describe the action of spinning very quickly, you can use either girar rápidamente or the phrase dar vueltas rápidas.
Meaning: to spin, turn, or revolve (verb)
Which one should you use?
rotar is typically used in technical or mathematical contexts, whereas girar is a more common, everyday verb used for spinning or turning objects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third person singular present form of rotar is rota (he/she/it rotates) and the third person plural present form is rotan (they rotate). The gerund form, used for the continuous 'rotating', is rotando.
How do you pronounce it?
/roˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word rota is also the feminine past participle of romper, meaning 'broken', which can lead to confusion in written sentences.
- While rotar is for technical spinning, the related verb rodar is used to describe a ball rolling or a film being shot on a movie set.
- In certain Spanish-speaking business contexts, rotar is used to describe the movement of inventory or staff. A manager might discuss the rotación de personal to refer to how quickly employees leave and are replaced by new ones.
Examples in context
- Es necesario rotar los empleados para mantener un equilibrio en el trabajo.It is necessary to rotate employees to maintain a balance at work.
- Por favor, gira la perilla en sentido contrario a las manecillas del reloj.Please rotate the knob counterclockwise.
- ¡Vamos a dar vueltas en la montaña rusa!Let's go for a spin on the roller coaster!
- las manecillas del reloj rotanThe clock hands rotate
- Dame la vuelta para ver mejorTurn me around to get a better view
- La Tierra rota sobre su propio eje.The Earth rotates on its own axis.
- Las hélices deben rotar con velocidad.The propellers must rotate at speed.
- Es necesario rotar la pieza para encajar.It is necessary to rotate the piece to fit.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are working in a mechanical workshop.
- Alejandro¿Ves cómo rotar el motor es difícil?Do you see how difficult it is to rotate the motor?
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, necesita más aceite.Yes, Alejandro, it needs more oil.
- AlejandroSi lo lubricas, podrá rotar mejor.If you lubricate it, it will be able to rotate better.
- MaríaTienes razón, lo intentaré ahora.You are right, I will try it now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rotar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
