girando
/xiɾando/from spelling rules
To say turning in Spanish, use girando. It describes something moving in a circle or changing direction right now.
girando describes an ongoing action of turning, such as a wheel spinning or a car going around a corner.
Which one should you use?
To give directions, use the verb with a side: Girar a la izquierda/derecha means turning left or right.
How does it change in a sentence?
girando is the gerund of the verb girar, to turn. It is used to express an action in progress.
Did you know?
- In a driving context, instead of saying you are girando, a person might simply say doblar, which is more common in many parts of the Americas for making a turn at a corner.
- The verb girar is also used in Spanish banking to describe the act of issuing a check or a money order, known as a giro. This refers to the transfer or 'turning over' of funds from one person to another.
- The verb girar shares its root with the English word 'gyroscope', illustrating the connection between the Spanish action of turning and the scientific concept of rotation.
Examples in context
- Estoy girando a la derecha en la próxima señal.I am turning right at the next signal.
- Estoy volteando la tortilla en la sartén.I am flipping the tortilla in the pan.
- El conductor hizo una media vuelta para regresar a la gasolinera.The driver made a U-turn to return to the gas station.
- Giré a la izquierda en el semáforo.I turned left at the traffic light.
- Está girando la llave en la cerradura.He is turning the key in the lock.
- El coche está girando en la esquina.The car is turning at the corner.
- Siento que la Tierra está girando.I feel like the Earth is turning.
- El bailarín está girando sobre su propio eje.The dancer is turning on his own axis.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are navigating a city in a car.
- Lucía¿Ya estamos girando en la calle correcta?Are we turning on the correct street already?
- DanielSí, Lucía, ahora vamos por el camino correcto.Yes, Lucía, now we are on the right path.
- LucíaCreo que te pasaste el giro.I think you missed the turn.
- DanielLo siento, ahora estoy girando para volver.I'm sorry, now I am turning to go back.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
