Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): En el cruce grande, gira a la izquierda hacia la autopista. - At the big intersection, turn left toward the highway.

Gira is the affirmative imperative for tú (informal singular). Gire is for usted (formal singular) and is the form you’ll often hear in GPS prompts and official announcements in Spain. Both are correct; choose gira with friends/family, gire when being polite or impersonal.

How would I say it to several people?

Spain (informal plural, vosotros): girad.
Formal plural (Spain/Latin America, ustedes): giren.
Complete set: gira (tú), gire (usted), girad (vosotros), giren (ustedes).

Can I use other verbs like doblar, torcer, coger, or tomar?

Doblar: very common in Latin America; understood in Spain but less used for driving directions.
Torcer: very idiomatic in Spain for directions: Tuerce a la izquierda.
Coger/tomar: in Spain you’ll hear Coge/Toma la autopista or Coge/Toma la primera a la izquierda. Avoid coger in many Latin-American countries (vulgar meaning).
Virar: more nautical/technical.

Why is it a la izquierda and not izquierdo?

Spanish uses the noun la izquierda for the direction “left.” Izquierdo/-a is an adjective and modifies a noun: el carril izquierdo, la mano izquierda.

Can I drop the article and say a izquierda or hacia autopista?

No. Use the article: a la izquierda, hacia la autopista. An idiomatic exception is a mano izquierda/a mano derecha (no article before mano).

What’s the difference between en el cruce grande and en el gran cruce?

El cruce grande: neutral “the big intersection” (size).
El gran cruce: gran (shortened form of grande) before the noun can still mean “big,” but often hints at “major/important.” Both are acceptable here.

Why en el cruce and not al cruce?

En marks location (“at/in the intersection”). Al = a + el marks motion toward a place: llega al cruce (“arrive at the intersection”). The turn happens there, so en is correct.

What nuance does hacia la autopista add compared with a la autopista?

Hacia means “toward,” indicating direction; you’re heading in that direction, not necessarily entering immediately. After girar, using a for a destination like a la autopista sounds odd in Spain; prefer … para entrar en la autopista / para tomar la autopista if the goal is to get onto it, or … en dirección a la autopista.

Is the word order fixed? Could I say gira hacia la autopista a la izquierda?

Grammatically possible, but unnatural. In directions, put the turn first: gira a la izquierda, then add destination info: … hacia la autopista / … para tomar la autopista.

What’s the difference between autopista, autovía, and carretera in Spain?

Autopista: controlled-access motorway; many are toll (AP‑), all high standard.
Autovía: similar dual carriageway, usually free (A‑), sometimes slightly lower standards.
Carretera: generic “road,” often non‑motorway routes (national, regional, local).

Why el cruce but la autopista? And is cruce the same as cruz?

It’s grammatical gender: cruce is masculine (el cruce), autopista is feminine (la autopista). Cruce means “junction/crossing”; cruz is a “cross” (the object/symbol), a different word.

How do I pronounce the tricky parts?

gira: in Spain, g before i sounds like Spanish j (a harsh h): [ˈxiɾa]. The single r is a quick tap.
izquierda: z is like English th in thin; qu gives a k sound and the u is silent: [iθˈkjeɾða].
cruce: c before e is th in Spain: [ˈkɾuθe].
autopista: au as in the ow of now + to; stress on -pis-: [awtoˈpista].

Why is there a comma after En el cruce grande?

It’s an introductory adverbial phrase. The comma is optional but common to mark the pause and improve clarity.

Should it be reflexive (gírate)?

No. For changing direction while moving, use non‑reflexive girar/torcer: gira a la izquierda. Reflexive girarse is for turning your body: gírate y mira atrás.

How do I make it negative or keep it formal/plural?

Negative: No gires (tú), No gire (usted), No giréis (vosotros), No giren (ustedes).
Formal/plural affirmative: Gire a la izquierda…, Girad/Giren a la izquierda….