voltear
/bolteˈaɾ/
The Spanish phrase for "to flip" is voltear.
voltear is used when you turn an object over so that the opposite side is facing up. You may also encounter the phrase voltear la tortilla, which can be used literally to mean flipping a tortilla or figuratively to mean reversing a situation or turning the tables.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle volteado can be used as an adjective to describe an object that has been flipped or turned over.
How do you pronounce it?
/bolteˈaɾ/
When do people say it?
The expression voltear la tortilla is a common way to describe a reversal of fortune or a change in a situation.
Did you know?
- While voltear means to flip, in certain Caribbean dialects, it can be used as a slang term meaning to 'hit' or 'strike' someone.
- The word voltear is closely related to the Latin word volūtāre, which describes the rolling motion of a scroll.
- In a courtroom, a judge does not just 'change' a ruling, they can voltear a decision, using the same verb you would use to flip a pancake.
Examples in context
- Por favor, ¿puedes voltear la página del informe?Could you please flip the page of the report?
- El chef giró el filete con destreza.The chef flipped the steak skillfully.
- Flora volteó al revés el calcetín para buscar un agujero.Flora flipped the sock inside out to look for a hole.
- Tienes que voltear la carne en la parrilla.You have to flip the meat on the grill.
- ¿Puedes voltear la tortilla para que no se queme?Can you flip the tortilla so it doesn't burn?
- Voy a voltear la página para seguir leyendo.I am going to flip the page to continue reading.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are cooking dinner together in the kitchen.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿puedes voltear los panqueques?Lucía, can you flip the pancakes?
- LucíaSí, ya voy a voltear cada uno.Yes, I am about to flip each one.
- AlejandroTen cuidado de no voltearlos demasiado rápido.Be careful not to flip them too fast.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, Alejandro, lo haré con cuidado.Don't worry, Alejandro, I will do it carefully.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry voltear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries voltear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
