Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say In Turn in Spanish: A Su Vez, Por Turno & Por Su Parte
A Su Vez · adverbial phrase · ah soo BEHS
In turn has two main meanings in English, each with a different Spanish equivalent. For chain reactions or consequences ('A happened, which in turn caused B'), use a su vez. For sequential order ('they spoke in turn'), use por turno. Por su parte (for his/her part) works when detailing what each person in a group did separately.
A su vez is ah soo BEHS, three syllables. The v in vez is pronounced like a soft b. Por turno is pohr TOOR-noh.
El director informó al gerente, quien a su vez avisó al equipo.
The director informed the manager, who in turn notified the team.
In Turn in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for in turn, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| a su vez | in turn | ah soo BEHS | Default, widely understood |
| por su parte | in turn | Universal — for his/her part | |
| por turno | in turn | Universal — taking turns, in sequence |
How Native Speakers Use A Su Vez
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Chain of events
La lluvia provocó inundaciones, que a su vez dañaron los cultivos.
The rain caused floods, which in turn damaged the crops.
A su vez connects a sequence of cause and effect. It is common in formal writing and news reports.
Taking turns
Los alumnos leyeron el poema por turno en voz alta.
The students read the poem in turn out loud.
Por turno means in sequence, one after another. En voz alta means out loud or aloud.
Individual contributions
La presidenta habló de economía; el ministro, por su parte, trató el tema de salud.
The president spoke about the economy; the minister, in turn, addressed health.
Por su parte shifts focus to what a different person did or said. It is especially useful in news summaries.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using A Su Vez
Using en turno for consequential 'in turn'
Incorrect: Esto causó problemas, en turno afectando a miles.
Correct: Esto causó problemas, lo que a su vez afectó a miles.
En turno means on duty (el médico en turno = the on-duty doctor) or at one's turn, not the consequential 'in turn.' Use a su vez for chain-of-event meaning.
Forgetting the possessive in a su vez
Incorrect: A vez, decidieron irse.
Correct: A su vez, decidieron irse.
The possessive su is essential. A vez alone is not a complete phrase. A su vez literally means 'at their/his/her turn' and is a fixed expression.
Lock in In Turn Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See A Su Vez used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using a su vez in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El director informó al gerente, quien a su vez avisó al equipo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About In Turn in Spanish
- What does 'a su vez' literally mean?
- Literally, 'at his/her/their turn.' In practice, it functions as a discourse connector meaning 'in turn' or 'which in turn.' The possessive su adjusts to context: a mi vez, a tu vez, a su vez, etc., though a su vez is by far the most common.
- How do I say 'take turns' in Spanish?
- Tomar turnos or turnarse. Nos turnamos para lavar los platos means 'We take turns washing the dishes.' Turnarse is the reflexive verb form, commonly used in all regions.
- Is 'a su vez' formal or informal?
- It leans formal and is most common in writing, news, and presentations. In casual speech, speakers might restructure the sentence to avoid it. However, it is perfectly understood in all registers.