cambiar las cosas
/kambjaɾ las kosas/from spelling rules
To turn things around in Spanish is cambiar las cosas.
This phrase is used to describe reversing a negative trend or improving a failing situation.
Which one should you use?
The expression dar un giro a las cosas is a common idiomatic alternative that more closely captures the sense of a sudden or decisive change in direction. For more specific registers, you might use Dar un vuelco a la situación for a more formal tone or Darle la vuelta a la tortilla in an informal setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone 'turned things around' in the past, use the preterite cambió las cosas (he/she/it) or cambiaron las cosas (they).
Did you know?
- The word tortilla in the phrase darle la vuelta a la tortilla refers to the Spanish omelette, not the corn tortilla found in Mexico. The gesture of flipping the omelette is a specific culinary skill in Spain.
- The word cambiar is not actually Latin in origin, but likely comes from a Gaulish word. It entered Spanish through regional languages like Asturian or Aragonese before becoming standard.
- In some contexts, dar un giro refers to a plot twist in a movie or book. This mirrors the English 'turn of events' but is used more frequently for narrative shifts than for personal life changes.
Examples in context
- Es hora de cambiar las cosas y mejorar nuestra situación financiera.It's time to turn things around and improve our financial situation.
- La empresa necesita dar un vuelco a la situación para mantenerse competitiva.The company needs to turn things around to stay competitive.
- Si trabajamos juntos, podemos darle la vuelta a la tortilla y superar cualquier obstáculo.If we work together, we can turn things around and overcome any obstacle.
- Necesitamos cambiar las cosas en la empresa.We need to turn things around in the company.
- Él quiere cambiar las cosas en su vida.He wants to turn things around in his life.
- Con mucho esfuerzo, podemos cambiar las cosas.With a lot of effort, we can turn things around.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a failing project at work.
- AlejandroEl proyecto no está funcionando, Lucía.The project isn't working, Lucía.
- LucíaLo sé, pero aún podemos cambiar las cosas.I know, but we can still turn things around.
- Alejandro¿Tienes alguna idea para mejorar?Do you have any ideas to improve?
- LucíaSí, Alejandro, tengo un plan nuevo.Yes, Alejandro, I have a new plan.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cambiar, las, CC BY-SA 4.0.
