vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Turn to" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "volverse hacia", and "turn on" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "prender". Learn more about the difference between "turn to" and "turn on" below.
turn to(
tuhrn
tu
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to face)
a. volverse hacia
My brother turned to me and said, "I don't know what I would do without you."Mi hermano se volvió hacia mí y dijo "sin ti, no sé qué haría".
a. acudir a
You were the only person I could turn to in my hour of need.Fuiste la única persona a quien podía acudir en mi momento de necesidad.
b. recurrir a
Many people in the neighborhood turned to the Mafia for protection.Muchas personas recurrieron a la mafia en busca de protección.
3. (to become)
a. convertirse en
As if by some enchantment, the food in Felicia's mouth turned to ash.Como por algún encanto, la comida en la boca de Felicia se le convirtió en ceniza.
a. pasar a
The conversation turned to politics, and that's when things got nasty.La conversación pasó al tema de la política, y fue entonces que se pusieron feas las cosas.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. poner manos a la obra
Everyone turned to, and the cleanup was finished in under an hour.Todos pusieron manos a la obra, y se terminó la limpieza en menos de una hora.
turn on(
tuhrn
an
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. prender (a light or an appliance) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
Turn on the lights when you go into the basement.Prende las luces cuando bajes al sótano.
b. abrir (a faucet or water)
I turned the hot water faucet on, but nothing came out.Abrí el grifo del agua caliente, pero no salió nada.
c. encender (a light or an appliance)
Turn on the TV. My favorite show is about to start.Enciende el televisor. Mi programa favorito está a punto de empezar.
d. conectar (electricity)
The supplier hasn't turned on the electricity at our new house yet.El proveedor aún no ha conectado la electricidad en nuestra nueva casa.
2. (colloquial) (to excite)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. gustar
Rock music doesn't turn me on that much; I prefer classical.La música rock no me gusta tanto, prefiero la clásica.
b. prender (colloquial) (sexually)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
It turns me on when my girlfriend kisses my neck.Me prende cuando mi novia me besa el cuello.
c. excitar (sexually)
I always give her a massage to turn her on.Siempre le doy un masaje para excitarla.
d. poner cachondo (colloquial) (sexually) (Mexico) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
Regionalism used in Spain
Raw oysters never fail to turn them on.Las ostras crudas no fallan en ponerles cachondos.
a. volverse en contra de
When he confessed to stealing their money, his friends turned on him.Cuando confesó al robo de su dinero, sus amigos se volvieron en su contra.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
b. prenderse (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
I wake up when the central heating turns on.Me despierto cuando se prende la calefacción central.
5. (legal)
a. depender de
The fate of the defendant turns on the judge's decision.El destino del acusado depende de la decisión del juez.
