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"Twist" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "girar", and "twirl" is a noun which is often translated as "el giro". Learn more about the difference between "twist" and "twirl" 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.
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.
