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"Revolcarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to roll around", and "rodar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to roll". Learn more about the difference between "revolcarse" and "rodar" below.
revolcarse(
rreh
-
bohl
-
kahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
1. (to roll)
a. to roll around
Sus chistes eran tan graciosos que me revolcaba de la risa.His jokes were so funny that I was rolling around laughing.
b. to roll about
Los niños salieron del mar y se revolcaron en la arena.The children came out from the sea and rolled about in the sand.
2. (colloquial) (to have sexual intercourse)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to have a roll in the hay (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Escuché que te revolcaste con Mariano después de la fiesta. ¿Es cierto?I heard that you and Mariano had a roll in the hay after the party. Is that true?
revolcar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to knock down
El toro revolcó al diestro y lo pisoteó.The bull knocked down the matador and trampled on him.
b. to knock over
El viento revolcó las sombrillas, arrastrándolas varios metros.The wind knocked over the sunshades and dragged them meters away.
4. (colloquial) (to defeat)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to wipe the floor with (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
El candidato republicano revolcó a su rival en el debate y ganó más popularidad si cabe.The Republican candidate wiped the floor with his rival in the debate and gained even more popularity.
rodar(
rroh
-
dahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to spin)
a. to roll
El terremoto hizo que unas cuantas rocas rodaran montaña abajo bloqueándonos el camino.The earthquake made some rocks roll down the mountain blocking our way.
b. to go round
El autobús fue ganando velocidad a medida que rodaban las ruedas.The bus gained speed as the wheels went round.
c. to turn
Los copos de nieve flotaban lentamente, rodando al caer.The snowflakes floated slowly down, turning as they fell.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (film)
4. (automobile)
a. to break in (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Ya que tienes un Tesla nuevo, te toca rodarlo.Now that you have a Tesla, it's time to break it in.
b. to run in (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No puedo esperar a rodar mi nuevo carro.I can't wait to run in my new car.
