Girare vs. svoltare
The Italian words girare and svoltare both translate to the English verb to turn, especially when giving or following directions. While girare is a versatile and common term used in everyday language for almost any type of turning, svoltare is more specific and formal, typically referring to a sharp change of direction while driving or walking along a path.
Girare
The verb girare is the most common and versatile way to express the action of turning left or right. You can use girare for vehicles, pedestrians, turning your body, or simply changing direction in casual, everyday conversation.
Devi girare a destra al prossimo semaforo.
(You must turn right at the next traffic light.)
Ho visto Marco girare l'angolo in fretta.
(I saw Marco turn the corner in a hurry.)
Se continui dritto, non puoi girare in quella via.
(If you keep going straight, you cannot turn into that street.)
I turisti di solito decidono di girare a sinistra per vedere il mare.
(Tourists usually decide to turn left to see the sea.)
Per trovare il museo, devi girare alla seconda traversa.
(To find the museum, you need to turn at the second cross street.)
Svoltare
The verb svoltare is more specific and formal, primarily used to indicate a definitive change of direction on a road, such as taking a new street at an intersection. It is frequently used in GPS navigation systems, driving lessons, and formal written directions.
Il navigatore ha detto di svoltare a sinistra tra cento metri.
(The GPS said to turn left in one hundred meters.)
È vietato svoltare a destra in questo incrocio.
(It is forbidden to turn right at this intersection.)
Dopo aver superato la piazza, devi svoltare in via Roma.
(After passing the square, you must turn into via Roma.)
L'autobus sta per svoltare in una strada molto stretta.
(The bus is about to turn into a very narrow street.)
Se dimentichi di svoltare, dovrai prendere l'uscita successiva.
(If you forget to turn, you will have to take the next exit.)
Summary
In short, use girare for everyday, general situations where someone or something is turning or casually changing direction. Opt for svoltare when you want to sound more precise or formal, especially when describing a vehicle making a deliberate and sharp turn at a street corner or intersection.