Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| girar | /xiˈɾaɾ/ |
| rotar | /roˈtaɾ/ |
| dar vueltas | /ˌdaɾ ˈbweltas/ |
The term is used to describe turning around quickly. While the verb refers to the action of spinning, the noun vuelta can mean a circular motion and giro refers to a single turn or a specific movement of spinning. Additionally, the noun vuelta can refer to a brief trip.
Which one should you use?
girar is the most common way to express both a simple turn and a continuous spinning motion. In contrast, rotar is more technical and is often used in scientific, mechanical or formal contexts to describe rotation around an axis. The phrase dar vueltas is also an option, which can be used figuratively to mean 'to dwell on something' or 'to go around in circles' mentally when trying to solve a problem.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun giro is the direct derivative of the verb girar and refers to a single turn or a specific movement of spinning.
How do you pronounce it?
/xiˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- A giro is not just a physical spin but is also the term used for a 'plot twist' in a movie or book.
- The Spanish verb girar and the English word 'gyrate' are distant cousins, both descending from the Ancient Greek word γῦρος meaning 'circle'.
- If you are in a car and want to say 'let's go for a spin', you would say vamos a dar una vuelta, which literally means 'let's give a turn'.
Examples in context
- Yo bebí mucho y el suelo parecía girar bajo mis pies.I drank too much and the ground seemed to spin under my feet.This sentence is useful for describing a spinning sensation caused by drinking too much.Tatoeba #1196376 by marcelostockle, translation #27124 by CK
- La habitación empezó a girar después de haber bebido unos tragos.The room started to spin after I drank too much.This sentence illustrates the sensation of a room spinning after drinking.Tatoeba #978002 by hayastan, translation #27123 by CK
- ¿Puedes hacer girar una bola de baloncesto en la punta de un dedo?Can you spin a basketball on your fingertip?This sentence shows how to use girar when talking about spinning an object like a basketball.Tatoeba #1196387 by marcelostockle, translation #712971 by darinmex
- Juan hizo girar la rueda de la bicicleta con fuerza.Juan spun the bicycle wheel forcefully.
- La bailarina dio vueltas elegantes sobre el escenario.The dancer spun gracefully on stage.
- No le des vueltas al asunto, simplemente sigue adelante.Don't overthink it, just move forward.
- El niño hizo girar el trompo sobre la mesa.The child spun the spinning top on the table.
- El coche dio tumbos después de frenar bruscamente.The car spun after braking abruptly.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are playing in a park.
- AlejandroMira cómo puedo girar muy rápido.Look how I can spin very fast.
- MaríaTen cuidado, Alejandro, te vas a marear.Be careful, Alejandro, you're going to get dizzy.
- AlejandroNo pasa nada, ¡me encanta girar así!It's okay, I love to spin like this!
- MaríaEstá bien, pero no te caigas.All right, but don't fall over.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spin” translations and entries girar, rotar, dar vueltas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dar, girar, rotar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
