In Spanish, the concepts of returning are expressed by two distinct verbs: volver and devolver. Understanding their differences is key to mastering their correct usage.
- Volver: Expresses the act of returning to a place or state; it's an intransitive verb focusing on the subject.
- Devolver: Means to give back or return something; it's a transitive verb that requires a direct object.
Volver: to return (to a place, state)
Volver is used when someone returns to a location, situation, or condition. It centers on the subject making the return journey or transition.
- Usage: When the subject returns to where they belong or have been before.
- Type: Intransitive verb (does not take a direct object).
- Common Forms: vuelvo, vuelves, vuelve, volvemos, volvéis, vuelven.
- Often used with a + infinitive for "to do something again."
Examples of Volver
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Ella vuelve a casa. | She returns home. |
| Volvemos a intentarlo. | We try again. |
| ¿Cuándo vuelven ustedes? | When do you all return? |
*volver* is used when the subject returns to a place.
*volver* is used for returning to a place or state, not for giving things back.
*Volver* is an intransitive verb.
The stem changes to 'vuelv-' in most forms (except nosotros/vosotros).
You can express doing something again with 'volver a' + infinitive.
Devolver: to give back, to return (something)
Devolver is used when returning an item, favor, or something tangible/intangible to its rightful owner. The focus is on the object being returned.
- Usage: When you return something (not yourself).
- Type: Transitive verb (requires a direct object).
- Common Forms: devuelvo, devuelves, devuelve, devolvemos, devolvéis, devuelven.
- Often used with se for devolver(se), meaning reciprocity ("to get back").
Examples of Devolver
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Él devuelve el libro. | He returns the book. |
| ¿Puedes devolverme mi bolígrafo? | Can you return my pen to me? |
| Devolvieron las entradas al final. | They returned the tickets in the end. |
*devolver* is used for returning things, not for the subject themselves.
*devolver* is used when returning objects, money, or similar things.
*devolver* is a transitive verb.
The stem changes to 'devuelv-' in most conjugated forms.
*Devolver* can be used reflexively as 'devolverse,' meaning 'to turn back' (though this is less common).
Volver and devolver express two sides of "to return" in Spanish: volver is for people returning to places or states, while devolver is for returning things.
- Use volver when the subject returns somewhere (intransitive).
- Use devolver when something is given back (transitive).
- Remember the stem changes: volver → vuelv-, devolver → devuelv-.