Take turns Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈteɪk/ /ˈtɝnz

TAYK TERNZ

UK

tˈeɪk/ /tˈɜːnz

TAYK TERNZ

Definition

To do something one after another, so each person has a chance.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and very common, used in group activities or games. Often followed by 'doing' (e.g. 'take turns driving'). Different from 'take turns with' (share/alternate ownership or use). Used for both children and adults.

• Spanish: turnarse - alternarse
• Portuguese (BR): revezar - alternar (atividade)
• Portuguese (PT): revezar - alternar (atividade)
• Chinese (Simplified): 轮流
• Chinese (Traditional): 輪流
• Hindi: बारी बदलना
• Arabic: يأخذ الأدوار - يتناوب
• Bengali: একটি করে করা - পালা করে করা
• Russian: по очереди
• Japanese: 順番にする - 交代する
• Vietnamese: lần lượt - thay phiên nhau
• Korean: 번갈아 하다
• Turkish: sırayla yapmak - sırayla
• Urdu: باری باری کرنا - ایک ایک کر کے
• Indonesian: bergiliran - gantian

Example Sentences

Let's take turns reading the book aloud.

basic

They take turns washing the dishes every night.

basic

The kids take turns playing on the swing.

basic

If there’s only one computer, we’ll have to take turns using it.

natural

We always take turns picking the restaurant when we go out.

natural

Can we take turns driving on the road trip? I don’t want to do all the driving.

natural