Italian Phrase
Gira a sinistra alla prossima svolta.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to turn left at the next turn. It is a concise directional command used when guiding someone along a road or a path.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are giving directions while driving, walking, or helping a tourist find a location. It works in both formal and informal contexts, but the imperative tone is most common in spoken, on‑the‑spot instructions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Giraasinistraallaprossimasvolta
Gira (imperative)
‘Gira’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb *girare*, meaning ‘turn’.
a (preposition)
The preposition *a* is used to indicate direction (turn *to* the left).
sinistra (noun)
*Sinistra* means ‘left’; it functions as a noun of direction here.
alla (a + la)
*Alla* is the contraction of *a* + *la*, meaning ‘at the’ or ‘to the’ (feminine).
prossima (adjective)
*Prossima* is the feminine form of *prossimo* ‘next’, agreeing with the feminine noun *svolta*.
svolta (noun)
*Svolta* means ‘turn’ (as in a road turn) and is feminine, hence the article *la*.
🗨In Conversation
Scusi, come arrivo al museo?
Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?
Gira a sinistra alla prossima svolta.
Turn left at the next turn.
✕Common Mistakes
Gira a sinistra alla prossimo svolta.
‘Prossimo’ must agree in gender with *svolta* (feminine), so use *prossima*.
Gira a sinistra al prossima svolta.
The article *al* (a + il) is masculine; the correct contraction for a feminine noun is *alla*.
Gira a sinistra alla prossima svolto.
*Svolto* is not a noun; the correct word is *svolta*.
↔Alternatives
Svolta a sinistra al prossimo incrocio.
Turn left at the next intersection.
Gira a sinistra al prossimo bivio.
Turn left at the next fork.
Prendi a sinistra alla prossima curva.
Take a left at the next bend.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, drivers often use *gira* for a quick turn and *svolta* for a more permanent change of direction (e.g., a road that bends). When speaking to strangers, a polite tone (adding *per favore* or a smile) makes the command feel friendly rather than abrupt. In the north, you’ll also hear *prendi a sinistra* more often, while in the south *gira a sinistra* is the norm.