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"Turn" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "girar", and "on" is a preposition which is often translated as "en". Learn more about the difference between "turn" and "on" below.
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.
on(
an
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Our anniversary is on Saturday.Nuestro aniversario es el sábado.
Where were you on the morning of September 30th?¿Dónde estabas la mañana del 30 de septiembre?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Are you on any medication?¿Toma algún medicamento?
The driver was a young kid on drugs.El conductor era un chico que iba drogado.
a. de (trip, tour or vacation)
The band will be on tour until December.El grupo estará de gira hasta diciembre.
a. en (the Internet)
I spent hours on the Internet looking for information for my paper.Pasé horas en Internet buscando de información para mi trabajo.
b. a (the phone)
I have to talk with my boss, but he's on the phone at the moment.Tengo que hablar con mi jefe pero está al teléfono ahora mismo.
11. (radio or TV)
12. (transport)
b. a (into a bus, train or airplane)
We got on the plane at six, but we only took off half an hour later.Subimos al avión a las seis pero tardamos media hora en despegar.
13. (music)
a. a
Playing on keyboards, Dave! A big round of applause for him!¡Al teclado, Dave! ¡Un fuerte aplauso para él!
14. (according to)
a. según
The order will be delivered based on your instructions.Se entregará el pedido según sus instrucciones.
a. por cuenta de
The dinner is on my father, and I will buy the cinema tickets.La cena va por cuenta de mi padre y yo pago las entradas para el cine.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
17. (in place)
18. (with clothing)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
From next year on, I will be pursuing my real dream.A partir del año que viene, perseguiré mi verdadero sueño.
There's a gas station a couple of miles further on.Hay una gasolinera un par de millas más adelante.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Dream on; nothing is impossible!¡Sigue soñando, que nada es imposible!
She went on and on about how smart her kids were.No paraba de hablar de lo inteligentes que eran sus hijos.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
21. (in operation)
a. encendido
If the lights are on, the store's open.Si las luces están encendidas, la tienda está abierta.
b. prendido (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
While the oven is on, I'll bake this cake.Como está prendido el horno, hornearé esta torta.
22. (occurring)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The race is on to find the missing ship.Ya empezó la carrera para encontrar el barco desaparecido.
This event is still on, despite the rain!¡El evento sigue en pie a pesar de la lluvia!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Is there anything good on at the movies?¿Están dando algo bueno en el cine?
Your favorite song is on right now.Está sonando tu canción favorita ahora mismo.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I bet you $20 she doesn’t turn up. - You’re on!Te apuesto $10 a que no viene. - ¡Trato hecho!
I'll buy you dinner if you ask her out. - OK, you're on.Te invito a cenar si le pides que salga contigo - Vale.
