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"Torcer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to twist", and "retorcer" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to twist". Learn more about the difference between "torcer" and "retorcer" below.
torcer(
tohr
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to contort)
a. to twist
Torció la cuerda para aflojar el agarre de su oponente.He twisted the rope to loosen the grip of his opponent.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (to curve)
a. to turn
Ten cuidado más adelante; el camino tuerce bruscamente a la derecha.Be careful up ahead; the road turns sharply to the right.
torcerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to injure)
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me tuerzo a la izquierda al escribir.My handwriting leans to the left.
Arregla ese espejo que se ha torcido.Sort out that mirror because it isn't straight.
a. to go off the rails (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Era un niño muy educado, pero empezó a torcerse cuando fue a la uni.He was a very polite boy, but he started to go off the rails when he went to college.
retorcer(
rreh
-
tohr
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to wind)
a. to wring out
Lisandro retorció la camiseta mojada y la colgó en el tendedero.Lisandro wrung out his wet t-shirt and hung it on the clothesline.
3. (to squeeze)
a. to wring
Se notaba que Sol estaba nerviosa porque no paraba de retorcer las manos.You could tell Sol was nervous because she couldn't stop wringing her hands.
4. (to distort)
a. to twist
Eso no es lo que yo dije. No retuerzas mis palabras.That's not what I said. Don't twist my words.
retorcerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (to contort)
a. to writhe
El caracol se retorció cuando le eché sal encima.The snail writhed when I put salt on it.
6. (to squirm)
b. to double up (with laughter)
Andrea contó un chiste tan gracioso que me retorcí de la risa.Andrea told a joke so funny that made me double up with laughter.
a. to get tangled
¡Los cables de mis auriculares siempre se retuercen!My headphone wires always get tangled!
b. to get twisted
El sedal de la caña de pescar se retorció y la terminé cortando.The fishing line got twisted and I ended up cutting it.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to twirl
El filósofo se retorcía el bigote mientras reflexionaba.The philosopher twirled his mustache as he pondered.
b. to twiddle
Natalia se retorcía el cabello porque la clase le parecía aburrida.Natalia was twiddling her hair because the class was boring.
