doblar

To change the shape of something by creasing or bending it upon itself; to cause something to take a curved or angled form; or to increase something to twice its amount.

• Por favor, dobla la ropa antes de guardarla en el cajón. — Please, fold the clothes before putting them in the drawer.
• El ciclista dobló la esquina a gran velocidad. — The cyclist turned the corner at high speed.
• La empresa espera doblar sus beneficios este trimestre. — The company expects to double its profits this quarter.

When doblar is used as a noun, it refers to the act of bending, folding, or doubling. While English often uses gerunds (e.g., 'the bending,' 'the folding') or derived nouns (e.g., 'a fold,' 'a doubling'), the Spanish infinitive `doblar` can sometimes be used directly as a noun, especially in more abstract or idiomatic contexts where a direct single-word English equivalent may not exist. For instance, in the context of bells, 'el doblar de las campanas' signifies the tolling or ringing of the bells.

• El doblar de las campanas a medianoche anunciaba el cambio de guardia. — The tolling of the bells at midnight announced the changing of the guard.
• En la gimnasia, el correcto doblar de las rodillas es crucial para evitar lesiones. — In gymnastics, the correct bending of the knees is crucial to avoid injuries.