vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Turn around" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "darse vuelta", and "turn over" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "voltear". Learn more about the difference between "turn around" and "turn over" below.
turn around(
tuhrn
uh
-
raund
)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.).
1. (to reverse)
a. darse vuelta
Don't turn around, okay? Your ex is right behind us in line.No des vuelta, ¿okey? Tu ex está justo detrás de nosotros en la fila.
I called out to my friend several times, but she didn't turn around.Grité el nombre de mi amiga varias veces, pero no se dio vuelta.
b. darse la vuelta
The bandit turned around and shot the sheriff.El bandido se dio la vuelta y le disparó al comisario.
c. voltearse
All of a sudden, Bill turned around and kissed Marion.De repente, Bill se volteó y le dio un beso a Marion.
a. cambiar de opinión
She told us we would have a parking spot, and then she turned around and told us we couldn't.Nos había dicho que tendríamos un lugar para estacionarnos, y luego cambió de opinión y nos dijo que no.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
So the salesman tells me the car will cost five thousand, and then he turns around and says it'll be eight!Entonces el dependiente me dice que el carro costará cinco mil, ¡y luego me sale con que ocho!
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. cambiar
I hope the new job will turn our situation around. I can't deal with this any longer.Espero que el nuevo trabajo cambie nuestra situación. Ya no puedo más con esto.
b. dar un vuelco
My cousin went through a rough patch, but he's turned his life around.Mi primo pasó una mala racha, pero le ha dado un vuelco a su vida.
4. (to rotate)
a. darle la vuelta a
I turned the clock around to see the time.Le di la vuelta al reloj para ver la hora.
turn over(
tuhrn
o
-
vuhr
)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 flip)
a. voltear (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
When they turned him over, they saw that he was dead.Cuando lo voltearon, vieron que estaba muerto.
b. dar la vuelta a
She turned over the record to listen to side B.Dio la vuelta al disco para escuchar el lado B.
c. dar vuelta a
The chef turned over the sirloin, and it had a perfect sear.El chef dio vuelta al solomillo y estaba perfectamente dorado.
2. (to give)
a. entregar
You're fired. Empty out your filing cabinet and turn your keys over to the secretary.Está despedido. Vacíe su archivador y entregue sus llaves a la secretaria.
3. (figurative) (to consider)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. darle vueltas a
I've been turning over your proposal, and I think it's a good idea.He estado dándole vueltas a tu propuesta y me parece una buena idea.
4. (to sell)
a. facturar
The new tech company turned over more than five million dollars in its first year.La nueva empresa facturó más de cinco millones de dólares en su primer año.
5. (to turn on)
a. girar
Oh no! The car's battery doesn't have enough juice to turn the engine over!¡Oh, no! ¡La batería del auto no tiene suficiente carga para hacer girar el motor!
b. funcionar
I have tried to start my old car several times, but still can't get the engine to turn over.He tratado de encender mi carrito viejo varias veces, pero no he podido hacer funcionar el motor.
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. darse vuelta
I couldn't sleep last night. I don't even know how many times I turned over.No pude dormir anoche. Ni sé cuántas veces me di vueltas.
b. darse la vuelta
Lana shut off the alarm, turned over, and went back to sleep.Lana apagó la alarma, se dio la vuelta y volvió a dormirse.