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"Twirl" is a noun which is often translated as "el giro", and "spin" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "girar". Learn more about the difference between "twirl" and "spin" below.
twirl(
twuhrl
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
c. la pirueta (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
She finished her number with a twirl and a curtsey to the audience.Finalizó su número con una pirueta y una reverencia al público.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. girar
The gaucho rapidly twirled his lasso and threw it.El gaucho giró rapidamente su lazo y lo lanzó.
b. hacer girar
He strolled down the street, twirling his cane.Paseaba por la calle haciendo girar su bastón.
c. dar vueltas a
Henry paused a moment, twirling his cigar in his fingers.Henry se detuvo un momento, dando vueltas a su puro entre los dedos.
d. revolear (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The drum majorettes marched past, twirling their batons.Las bastoneras desfilaron, revoleando sus bastones.
e. retorcerse (one's mustache)
The doctor twirled his mustache pensively as he listened to me.El medico se retorció el bigote pensativamente mientra me escuchaba.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. girar
He twirled in front of the mirror, admiring himself.Giró delante del espejo, fijándose en lo guapo que era.
b. dar vueltas
We watched all the kites twirling above our heads.Miramos como todas las cometas daban vueltas por encima de nuestras cabezas.
c. hacer piruetas
The dancers ran, leapt, and twirled around the stage.Los bailarines corrieron, saltaron e hicieron piruetas por el escenario.
spin(
spihn
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to rotate)
a. centrifugar
The washing machine is not spinning the clothes properly.La lavadora no centrifuga bien la ropa.
3. (to make)
4. (sports)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to rotate)
a. girar
The wheels started to spin as soon as he put his foot on the accelerator.Las ruedas empezaron a girar en cuanto pisó el acelerador.
a. centrifugar
The washing machine is leaking water when it spins.La lavadora pierde agua cuando centrifuga.
8. (to weave)
a. hilar
The local women make money from spinning and weaving.Las mujeres del lugar ganan dinero hilando y tejiendo.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. la rotación (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
What's the direction of the Earth's spin?¿Cuál es sentido de la rotación de la Tierra?
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Give the wheel a spin and see what number it lands on.Haz girar la rueda a ver en qué número se detiene.
The boys were giving their tops a spin.Los niños hacían girar sus peonzas.
a. el centrifugado (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The washing machine is on its final spin.La lavadora está en el último centrifugado.
a. la barrena (F) (of an aircraft)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The pilot lost control and went into a spin.El piloto perdió el control y entró en barrena.
b. el trompo (M) (of a car)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The Formula One driver did a spectacular spin when he went off the track.El piloto de Fórmula 1 realizó un trompo espectacular al salirse de la pista.
12. (colloquial) (ride)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
13. (sports)
a. el efecto (M) (on a ball)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The team won the match because the pitcher put spin on the ball to trick the hitter.El equipo ganó el partido porque el pícher lanzó la bola con efecto para engañar al bateador.
14. (interpretation)
a. el sesgo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The government is trying to put a positive spin on a bad situation.El gobierno intenta darle un sesgo positivo a una mala situación.
