Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cambio de sentido | /ˌkambjo de senˈtido/ | masculine |
| vuelta / virada / girada en U | /ˈbwelta biˈɾada xiˈɾada en u/ (word by word) | feminine |
| viraje / giro / giramiento en U | /biˈɾaxe ˈxiɾo xiɾaˈmjento en u/ (word by word) | masculine |
A u-turn refers to a semi-circular turn. You will often see the phrase Prohibido el cambio de sentido on road signs to indicate that U-turns are not allowed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cambio de sentido literally means 'change of direction' or 'change of sense'.
Which one should you use?
The term cambio de sentido is the standard, formal term used in official traffic regulations and road signs to indicate a U-turn or a change in the direction of travel. In contrast, vuelta en U is a more descriptive, colloquial way to describe the physical shape of the turn.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, cambio de sentido is used to describe a U-turn and means change of direction. In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico, the word retorno is used to refer to a u-turn.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of performing a u-turn, you use the verb dar (to give) with the noun phrase, as in dar la vuelta en U. Related verbal phrases include dar la vuelta or hacer un cambio de sentido.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌkambjo de senˈtido/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the phrase dar la vuelta can mean a U-turn, but it can also simply mean 'to take a walk'.
- The Spanish word vuelta is a cognate of the English word 'vault'. Both words share a root that describes the act of turning or curving.
- The term cambio de sentido uses the word sentido, which in other contexts refers to the five senses or the meaning of a sentence.
Examples in context
- No hay problema, dame unos segundos para voltear en U.No problem, give me a few seconds to make a U-turn.
- Vamos a dar la vuelta en U en el próximo semáforo.Let's make a U-turn at the next traffic light.
- El coche hizo un cambio de sentido brusco.The car made a sudden u-turn.
- No puedes hacer un cambio de sentido aquí.You cannot make a u-turn here.
- Busca un lugar para el cambio de sentido.Look for a place to make a u-turn.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are driving and lost their way.
- ElenaNos hemos perdido, Alejandro.We are lost, Alejandro.
- AlejandroNecesito hacer un cambio de sentido pronto.I need to make a u-turn soon.
- ElenaMira, hay un espacio más adelante.Look, there is a space ahead.
- AlejandroPerfecto, giraré allí.Perfect, I will turn there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “u-turn” translations and entries cambio de sentido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (vuelta, virada, girada, en, u, viraje, giro, giramiento) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cambio, de, en, giro, sentido, viraje, vuelta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
