QUICK ANSWER
"Upside down" is an adjective which is often translated as "al revés", and "inside out" is an adverb which is also often translated as "al revés". Learn more about the difference between "upside down" and "inside out" below.
upside down(
uhp
-
sayd
daun
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g. the big dog).
1. (inverted)
a. al revés
How did you know I wasn't really reading the book? - Because you were holding it upside down.¿Cómo sabías que en verdad no estaba leyendo el libro? - Porque lo tenías agarrado al revés.
The curator was fired because he couldn't tell that the painting was upside down.Despidieron al curador porque no sabía que el cuadro estaba al revés.
b. del revés
It's easier to slice homemade bread if the loaf is upside down.Es más fácil rebanar el pan casero si está del revés.
c. boca abajo
Why are all the tables in the café upside down?¿Por qué están boca abajo todas las mesas en el café?
d. patas arriba
The DVD player wasn't working because the disc was upside down in the slot.El reproductor de DVD no funcionaba porque el disco estaba patas arriba en la ranura.
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
All these upside-down pictures need to be flipped.Hay que girar todas las fotos que están al revés.
I put the upside-down glass right-side up.Giré el vaso que estaba boca abajo.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g. to run quickly, very tired).
2. (inverted)
a. al revés
You're lost because you're looking at the map upside down.Estás desorientado porque estás mirando el mapa al revés.
b. del revés
During the accident, our car flipped over and we landed upside down.Durante el accidente, nuestro carro capotó y caímos del revés.
c. boca abajo
The parachuter landed upside down in a tree and called for help.El paracaidista cayó boca abajo en un árbol y gritó pidiendo ayuda.
d. patas arriba
The party attendees destroyed the house and left everything upside down.Los asistentes de la fiesta arrasaron la casa y dejaron todo patas arriba.
inside out(
ihn
-
sayd
aut
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g. to run quickly, very tired).
1. (with the inner surface on the outside)
2. (to a thorough degree)
a. de cabo a rabo
I'm not nervous about the test tomorrow. I know the book inside out.No estoy nerviosa por el examen de mañana. Conozco el libro de cabo a rabo.
b. en profundidad
I'm a huge fan of the band. I know their music inside out.Soy fanática de la banda. Conozco su música en profundidad.
c. al dedillo
I trust my lawyer. He understands the law inside out.Confío en mi abogado. Entiende la ley al dedillo.
3. (starting on the inside)
a. de adentro hacia afuera
Wounds heal from the inside out.Heridas cicatrizan de adentro hacia afuera.
