Spanish word

turno

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtuɾno/

Meaning

  • masculine nounturn

Example

Es mi turno.

It's my turn.

Illustration for turno (turn)

More examples

Mañana trabajo en el turno de noche.

Tomorrow I work the night shift.

Core concept

Assigned place in a sequence that shows who goes next.

Common phrases

  • turno de noche

    night shift

  • tomar el turno

    take one's turn

  • ceder el turno

    give up one's turn

Similar words

vez: A person's occasion in a sequence when their opportunity to act or speak arrives.
fila: A physical line of people waiting in order for service or admission.

Definition in Spanish

Momento o lugar en una secuencia que indica quién debe actuar o ser atendido; asimismo intervalo de trabajo establecido por rotación.

Word origin

Spanish turno comes from Late Latin turnus meaning 'rotation' and denotes an assigned place or moment in a rotating sequence and, by extension, a scheduled work shift.

Usage tips

  • In conversation speakers often say 'me toca' instead of 'es mi turno', and expressions like 'pedir turno' or 'sacar turno' usually mean to request an appointment slot rather than to 'take a turn'.

Other meanings

  • dutynoun
  • shiftnoun

Related words

  • turnistashift workernoun
  • turnarsetake turnsverb

Word lists with this word