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"Twist" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "girar", and "roll" is a noun which is often translated as "el rollo". Learn more about the difference between "twist" and "roll" below.
twist(
twihst
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to turn)
a. girar
Claire twisted the doorknob carefully so the baby didn't wake up.Claire giró la perilla cuidadosamente para que el bebé no se despertara.
2. (to coil)
3. (to sprain)
a. torcerse
I twisted my ankle when I ran after the ball.Me torcí el tobillo cuando corrí tras la pelota.
4. (to writhe)
5. (to distort)
a. torcer
This newspaper tends to twist the truth about what happens.Este periódico tiende a torcer la verdad de los hechos.
b. tergiversar
Logan twisted my words and got me in trouble.Logan tergiversó mis palabras y me metió en problemas.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to wind)
a. enrollarse
Vines twist around the lamp posts at the park.Las enredaderas se enrollan alrededor de las farolas del parque.
8. (to writhe)
a. retorcerse
Stop twisting like that, or I'll never be able to get that spider off your back.Deja de retorcerte de esa manera o nunca logré quitarte esa araña de la espalda.
9. (to dance)
a. bailar el twist
Hazel and Tobias twisted at the party all night long.Hazel y Tobias bailaron el twist en la fiesta toda la noche.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
11. (bend)
12. (sewing)
a. la espiral (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).
I’d like a martini with a twist of lemon.Yo quiero un martini con una espiral de limón.
b. el pedacito (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).
I like mineral water with a twist of lime.Me gusta el agua mineral con un pedacito de lima.
c. el cucurucho (M) (of paper)
(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).
We made paper twists and used them as party hats.Hicimos cucuruchos de papel y los usamos como sombreros de fiesta.
d. la voluta (F) (of smoke)
(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).
We could see the twists of smoke from his cigar from our table.Podíamos ver las volutas de humo de su puro desde nuestra mesa.
e. el rollo (M) (of tobacco)
(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).
Nolan bought a twist of tobacco and a cup of coffee before getting on the train.Nolan compró un rollo de tabaco y un café antes de subir al tren.
a. el giro inesperado (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).
I believe that the final twist in the novel is what makes it so unique.Considero que el giro inesperado al final de la novela es lo que la hace única.
15. (injury)
a. la torcedura (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).
That's a pretty serious twist; I'm afraid you won't be able to compete in the tournament.Es una torcedura bastante seria; me temo que no vas a poder competir en el torneo.
roll(
rol
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el rollo (M) (of paper, fabric, film, etc.)
(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).
We need a new roll of toilet paper in the bathroom.Hace falta otro rollo de papel higiénico en el baño.
b. el fajo (M) (of banknotes)
(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 thief forced the safe open and took all the rolls of banknotes inside.El ladrón forzó la caja fuerte y agarró todos los fajos de billetes que había dentro.
c. el rollo (M) (of fat) (Mexico) (River Plate)
(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).
Regionalism used in Mexico
There was a roll of fat escaping over the top of his shirt collar.Un rollo de grasa le salía por encima del cuello de la camisa.
d. la llanta (F) (colloquial) (Latin America)
(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).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
She had big rolls of fat on her stomach.Tenía grandes llantas en la panza.
e. el michelín (M) (colloquial) (of fat) (Spain)
(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).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
These abs exercises will get rid of those rolls of fat on your tummy.Estos ejercicios para abdominales te quitarán esos michelines.
2. (culinary)
a. el panecillo (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).
I ordered a coffee and a roll with butter for breakfast.Pedí un café y un panecillo con mantequilla para desayunar.
b. el bolillo (M) (Mexico)
(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).
Regionalism used in Mexico
You can make your own rolls with flour, yeast, salt, and water.Puedes hacer tus propios bolillos con harina, levadura, sal y agua.
3. (movement)
a. el balanceo (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 gentle roll of the train cause the baby to fall sleep.El suave balanceo del tren hizo que el bebé se durmiera.
b. el bamboleo (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 roll of the ship was making me sick.El bamboleo del barco me estaba mareando.
4. (noise)
a. el redoble (M) (of a drum)
(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 presenter announced the winner after a drum roll.El presentador anunció el ganador tras un redoble de tambor.
b. el retumbo (M) (of thunder)
(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).
During a storm, lightning is usually followed by the roll of thunder.En una tormenta, el rayo suele ir seguido del retumbo del trueno.
5. (list)
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The school has 450 pupils on the roll.La escuela tiene matriculados a 450 alumnos.
The teacher called the roll.El profesor pasó lista.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
7. (to revolve)
a. rodar
Some rocks had rolled down the mountain, blocking our way.Unas rocas habían rodado montaña abajo y nos bloqueaban el camino.
8. (to move)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
A tear rolled down her cheek.Una lágrima le corrió por la mejilla.
The train rolled slowly into the station and came to a stop.El tren entró despacio en la estación y se paró.
a. retumbar
I knew a storm was coming because I could hear the thunder rolling in the distance.Sabía que se acercaba una tormenta porque oía los truenos retumbar a lo lejos.
11. (to sway)
a. balancearse
The storm was causing the ship to roll and it made me sick.La tormenta hacía que el barco se balanceara y me mareé.
b. bambolearse
Turbulence can cause a plane to roll.Las turbulencias pueden hacer que un avión se bambolee.
12. (to operate)
a. rodar
When the director yells "Action!," the cameras start rolling.Cuando el director grita "¡Acción!", las cámaras empiezan a rodar.
b. funcionar
The company needs more financial support to keep the machines rolling.La compañía necesita más apoyo ecónomico para que siga funcionando la maquinaria.
13. (to extend)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I gave a shout and the echo rolled away into the night.Di un grito y el eco se fue perdiendo en la noche.
People left the theater as the final credits rolled.Mientras los créditos iban pasando, la gente abandonaba el cine.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. hacer rodar
The barrel was too heavy to move, so I rolled it on its side.El barril pesaba mucho para moverlo, así que lo hice rodar por el costado.
b. tirar (the dice)
I rolled the dice, hoping for a six.Tiré los dados, esperando que saliera un seis.
d. poner en blanco (figurative) (one's eyes)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
She rolled her eyes when she heard his sexist remarks.Cuando oyó sus comentarios sexistas, ella puso los ojos en blanco.
a. liar (a cigarette or oneself)
I was so exhausted that I rolled myself in a blanket and fell asleep on the couch.Estaba tan agotado que me lié en una manta y me quedé dormido en el sofá.
b. enrollar (a piece of paper or a carpet)
She rolled the newspaper and put it into her shopping bag.Enrolló el periódico y lo metió en su bolsa de la compra.
16. (to flatten)
a. apisonar (the road)
Workmen were rolling the newly laid tarmac.Los obreros estaban apisonando el asfalto recién puesto.
b. pasar el rodillo por (the lawn or the pitch)
They were rolling the pitch to get it into shape after Saturday’s game.Estaban pasando el rodillo por el campo para ponerlo a punto después del partido del sábado.
c. estirar (the dough)
Roll the fondant with a rolling pin until it is the size you need.Estire el fondant con un rodillo hasta que alcance el tamaño necesario.
d. laminar (technical) (metal)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
The company manufactures rolled steel plates.La compañía produce placas de acero laminado.
17. (colloquial) (to rob) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. atracar
They’ll roll you for a few dollars in that part of town.En esa zona de la ciudad, te atracan por unos cuantos dólares.
