giro inesperado
/xiɾo inespeɾado/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'twist' can be translated into Spanish as giro inesperado.
In Spanish, giro inesperado is used to describe an unexpected turn in a story, tale or similar narrative. For the specific term 'plot twist' used in literature or film, you should use giro de trama. Additionally, the verb torcerse is used when you mean to injure a body part by bending it in the wrong direction and sacar punta a means to distort or change the truth or meaning.
Meaning: unexpected turn in a story, tale, etc (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word giro literally means 'turn' or 'twist'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/xiɾo inespeɾado/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word giro is the standard term for a 'money order' or 'bank transfer'.
- The word giro shares its DNA with the English word 'gyrate', as both descend from the Latin 'gyrus', meaning 'circle' or 'ring'.
- While a story has a giro inesperado, if you describe a person's character as having a 'twist' or being 'twisted', you would use the adjective retorcido instead of anything involving giro.
Examples in context
- El artefacto sufrió una torsión inesperada durante el experimento.The device experienced an unexpected twist during the experiment.
- El desenlace de la película tiene un giro sorprendente.The movie has a surprising twist at the end.
- ¡No te imaginas la vuelta que tiene esta historia!You can't imagine the twist this story has!
- La novela policíaca tiene un giro inesperado en el último capítulo.The detective novel has an unexpected twist in the last chapter.
- No puedo creer el vuelco que dio la situación en la reunión.I can't believe the twist the situation took at the meeting.
- La película tuvo un giro inesperado al final.The movie had an unexpected twist at the end.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a novel they both recently read.
- Lucía¿Te gustó el final del libro?Did you like the end of the book?
- AlejandroSí, el giro inesperado fue brillante.Yes, the unexpected twist was brilliant.
- LucíaA mí me dejó sin palabras.It left me speechless.
- AlejandroEs una historia muy bien escrita.It is a very well written story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “twist” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries giro, inesperado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
