vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Change" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "cambiar", and "turn" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "girar". Learn more about the difference between "change" and "turn" below.
change(
cheynj
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to alter)
a. cambiar
The presenter changed outfits three times during the ceremony.El presentador cambió de traje tres veces durante la ceremonia.
They might change their mind about going to the party nearer the time.Puede que cambien de idea de si ir o no a la fiesta cuando se acerque la fecha.
a. cambiar
I changed dollars into pesos as soon as I arrived in Mexico City.Cambié dólares a pesos en cuanto llegué al Distrito Federal.
I want to change these pants for that sweater.Quiero cambiar estos pantalones por ese suéter.
a. cambiar
I just changed the baby and he's already dirtied another diaper.Acabo de cambiar al bebé y ya ha ensuciado otro pañal.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. cambiar
I want to go to the reunion to see how everyone has changed.Quiero ir a la reunión para ver cómo han cambiado todos.
When the leaves start to change, it makes me want to break out my sweaters.Cuando las hojas empiezan a cambiar, me dan ganas de sacar mis suéteres.
a. cambiar
To go downtown, you have to change at the next stop.Para ir al centro, tienes que cambiar en la siguiente parada.
b. hacer transbordo
You can change to a brown-line train at Fullerton.Puedes hacer transbordo a un tren de la línea marrón en Fullerton.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el cambio (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
After ten years in New York, I just felt a change was necessary.Después de diez años en Nueva York, simplemente pensaba que un cambio era necesario.
8. (alteration)
b. la variación (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
There has been no change in the patient's condition.No ha habido variación alguna en el estado del paciente.
c. el sencillo (M) (Latin America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
Have you got any change to buy the newspaper?¿Tienes algo de sencillo para comprar el periódico?
e. el menudo (M) (Caribbean) (Colombia) (Costa Rica)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Costa Rica
I need some change to pay for parking.Necesito menudo para pagar el estacionamiento.
10. (money returned)
c. el vuelto (M) (Latin America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The waiter hasn't returned with our change.El mesero no ha regresado con nuestro vuelto.
a. la muda (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Don't forget to pack a change of clothes when you go to the swimming pool.No te olvides de llevar una muda de ropa cuando vayas a la piscina.
turn(
tuhrn
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to rotate)
a. girar
I turned the steering wheel sharply to avoid the dog.Giré el volante bruscamente para evitar el perro.
2. (to direct)
a. dirigir
He turned his attention to the letter in front of him.Dirigió su atención a la carta delante de él.
She turned her anger on her son.Dirigió su ira hacia su hijo.
a. volver (head, eyes, gaze)
We turned our gaze to the place where the sound came from.Volvimos la mirada hacia el lugar de donde provino el sonido.
a. dar la vuelta a
Please turn the page and answer the questionnaire.Por favor dale vuelta a la hoja y contesta el cuestionario.
You should turn your mattress so that both sides are used.Debes darle vuelta a tu colchón para que se usen los dos lados.
5. (to perform)
7. (to pass)
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
It just turned midnight.Acaba de hacerse medianoche.
It's just turned 2 o'clock here. What's the time there?Aquí acaban de dar las dos. ¿Qué hora es ahí?
8. (to change)
a. convertir
Scientists figured out how to turn solar energy into electricity.Los científicos encontraron la manera de convertir la energía solar en electricidad.
9. (to put)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Many people were turned out of their homes.Echaron a muchas personas de sus casas.
Turn the mixture into the pan and bake for 20 minutes.Vierta la mezcla en la olla y hornee durante 20 minutos.
10. (to make)
11. (to twist)
a. torcerse (ankle, wrist)
Ken turned his ankle during the soccer game.Ken se torció el tobillo durante el partido de fútbol.
12. (to shape)
a. tornear (on a lathe)
He turned a block of wood into a baseball bat on the lathe.Torneó un bloque de madera a un bate de béisbol en el torno.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
14. (to rotate)
b. dar vueltas
The disc turns at 2,000 revolutions a minute.El disco da vueltas a 2,000 revoluciones por minuto.
15. (to change)
b. cambiar
Investors are waiting for their luck to turn.Los inversores están esperando que cambie su suerte.
16. (to become)
a. ponerse
Emma turned pale and then fainted.Emma se puso pálida y luego se desmayó.
She turns red when she's embarrassed.Ella se pone roja cuando le da pena.
17. (to go sour)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
19. (rotation)
20. (in a series)
21. (bend)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The driver made a sharp left turn.El chofer giró bruscamente a la izquierda.
The following day, the situation took an unexpected turn.Al día siguiente, la situación dio un giro inesperado.
23. (shock)
24. (dizziness)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
He has an elegant turn of phrase.Él se expresa de manera elegante.
She has a critical turn of mind.Ella tiene una forma de pensar crítica.
