Also means
to tumble, to roll over
Usage Note
Rotolare describes rolling motion and is used both transitively (rotolare una palla = to roll a ball) and intransitively (la palla rotola = the ball rolls). In the intransitive sense it takes essere as auxiliary in compound tenses. The reflexive rotolarsi means 'to roll around' — rotolarsi nell'erba (to roll in the grass). Rotolare is also used figuratively for falling helplessly.
Examples
"La palla rotolò giù per le scale."
Natural Translation
The ball rolled down the stairs.
Related Words
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