A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Turn left" in Italian
Learn to say 'turn left' in Italian. Essential for navigating cities and asking for directions.
Giri a sinistra
JEE-ree ah SEE-nees-trahneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when asking for or receiving directions. For example, if you're lost and ask someone 'Dov'è la stazione?' (Where is the station?), they might reply, 'Giri a sinistra al prossimo incrocio.' (Turn left at the next intersection).
Alternatives
- Svolta a sinistraSlightly more emphatic, like 'make a left turn'.
- Prenda la sinistraMore formal, used when addressing someone with 'Lei'.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'sinistra' with 'destra'
'Sinistra' means left, while 'destra' means right.
Pronouncing 'giro' incorrectly
The 'gi' in 'giri' sounds like the 'j' in 'jump', not like the 'g' in 'go'.
Frequently asked
how to say turn left in italian
The most common way to say 'turn left' is 'Giri a sinistra'. This is understood everywhere in Italy.
italian for turn left at the light
You can say 'Giri a sinistra al semaforo'. 'Semaforo' means traffic light.
italian turn left or right
To ask 'turn left or right?', you can say 'Gira a sinistra o a destra?'. The response will likely use 'sinistra' for left and 'destra' for right.
