Two common Spanish verbs, volver and devolver, both involve the idea of "returning" but are used in different contexts:
- volver = to return or go back (typically a person returning to a place or situation)
- devolver = to give something back (returning an object to its owner)
Volver focuses on movement or a person returning somewhere, while devolver focuses on the act of returning or giving something back.
Usage of Volver
Volver means "to return" or "to go back" and is usually used when talking about a person returning to a place, situation, or state.
- Subjects are typically people (or sometimes animals) who physically go back somewhere.
- Can also mean "to return to a previous state" (e.g., volver a empezar = "to start again").
Examples:
- Volveré a casa temprano. — I will return home early.
- Ella volvió de París ayer. — She returned from Paris yesterday.
- Volvieron a estudiar matemáticas. — They went back to studying math.
Usage of Devolver
Devolver means "to give something back" or "to return something" to its owner or original place.
- The subject is the person returning something, and the direct object is the thing being returned.
- Can be used for both physical objects and abstract things (e.g., devolver un favor = "return a favor").
Examples:
- ¿Puedes devolverme el libro? — Can you give me back the book?
- Devolví la camiseta a la tienda. — I returned the shirt to the store.
- Él devolvió el DVD que le presté. — He returned the DVD I lent him.
Key Differences
| Aspect | Volver | Devolver |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Return/go back (usually a person) | Return/give something back (an object) |
| Subject | Usually a person | Usually a person |
| Object | Often no direct object (implied place) | Direct object = thing being returned |
| Usage | Returning to a place or state | Returning an item to its owner/place |
| Examples | Volví a la oficina.* (I returned to the office.) | Devolví el informe a tiempo.* (I returned the report on time.) |
Common Expressions with Volver
Fill in the blank with the correct form of volver:
- volver a + [infinitive] → "to do something again"
- volver + a + [lugar] → "to return to [place]"
- Tengo que \\\\\\\\\_ a estudiar para el examen. (to study again)
- Mañana \\\\\\\\\_ a la oficina. (return to the office)
- Ellos \\\\\\\\\_ del viaje el sábado. (return from the trip)
Answers:
- volver
- vuelven
- vuelven
Common Expressions with Devolver
Fill in the blank with the correct form of devolver:
- devolver + [objeto] + a + [persona/lugar] → "to return [object] to [person/place]"
- ¿Puedes \\\\\\\\\_ el libro a la biblioteca? (return the book)
- Ella \\\\\\\\\_ la ropa que compró. (returned the clothes)
- Nosotros \\\\\\\\\_ el dinero mañana. (will return the money)
Answers:
- devolver
- devolvió
- devolveremos
Summary
- Use volver when someone is going back or returning to a place or situation.
- Use devolver when someone gives an object back to someone else.
- Remember: volver = "return" (person/place), devolver = "return/give back" (thing)
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
