dale la vuelta
/dale la bwelta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "turn it around" is translated into Spanish as dale la vuelta.
dale la vuelta is used to instruct someone to rotate an object so that the opposite side is facing up or forward. While this specific phrase is an instruction to turn an object, the base infinitive form dar la vuelta can also mean to turn a corner or to turn a vehicle around.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase dale la vuelta, the definite article la is used because the noun vuelta is feminine.
Did you know?
- While dale la vuelta tells someone to rotate an object, changing the article to una in dar una vuelta transforms the meaning into taking a leisurely stroll or walk.
- The word vuelta shares a common ancestor with the English word 'vault', both stemming from the Latin word for a turning or a rolling motion.
- If you use dar la vuelta to describe a person's movement, it can imply they are performing a literal somersault or a full 360-degree spin.
Examples in context
- El director de la compañía logró darle un giro a la situación financiera.The company's director managed to turn the financial situation around.
- Esperamos que el nuevo gobierno pueda cambiar las cosas en nuestra nación.We hope the new government can turn things around in our nation.
- ¡No te preocupes! Seguro que podemos darle la vuelta a esta situación.Don't worry! I'm sure we can turn this situation around.
- Vamos a arreglar las cosas y hacer que todo salga bien.Let's turn it around and make everything work out.
- Dale la vuelta al plato.Turn the plate around.
- Si no ves la imagen, dale la vuelta.If you don't see the image, turn it around.
- Dale la vuelta al libro para leer la contraportada.Turn the book around to read the back cover.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are looking at a printed photograph.
- Elena¿Por qué no se ve bien la foto?Why can't the photo be seen well?
- MateoNo lo sé, dale la vuelta.I don't know, turn it around.
- Elena¡Ah! Ahora sí se ve perfectamente.Ah! Now it can be seen perfectly.
- MateoQué bueno que funcionó.I'm glad that worked.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dale, la, vuelta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
