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volver means to return / to come back — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 8, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

volver

verb • /[bol-BER]/

to return / to come back

Example:

Voy a volver antes de las ocho.

I'm going to return before eight.

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🧠 What does volver mean?

Volver is a common Spanish verb meaning 'to return' or 'to come back'. It can also mean 'to turn' or 'to become' in some contexts, adding a layer of nuance. Think of returning to a place, returning to a previous state, or even returning to a topic of conversation.

📚 Extra examples

  • Volví a casa tarde anoche.
    I returned home late last night.
  • Ella volvió a sonreír.
    She smiled again (literally, she returned to smiling).
  • El camaleón volvió a verde.
    The chameleon turned green again.
  • Volveremos a hablar de eso más tarde.
    We'll return to that topic later.
  • Volví a sentirme feliz.
    I felt happy again (literally, I returned to feeling happy).

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to return / to come back' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to return' or 'to come back' in Spanish is 'volver'.
How do you pronounce 'volver' in Spanish?
Volver is pronounced bol-VAIR, with the stress on the second syllable.
How do you use 'volver' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'Volví a casa' (I returned home), 'Ella volverá mañana' (She will return tomorrow), '¿Cuándo volverás?' (When will you return?).
What is the English translation of 'volver'?
Volver translates to 'to return', 'to come back', or sometimes 'to turn' or 'to become'.
Does 'volver' change for gender or number?
No, 'volver' conjugates based on the subject pronoun (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros/as, vosotros/as, ellos/ellas/ustedes), but the verb itself doesn't change for gender or number specifically.
Is 'volver' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'volver' is a very common verb used in everyday Spanish conversations.
Does 'volver' have slang or double meanings?
While 'volver' itself doesn't have many slang uses, the phrase 'volver a + infinitive' (to do something again) is extremely common and natural.
Is 'volver' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'volver' are generally the same across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'volver' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: yo vuelvo, tú vuelves, él/ella/usted vuelve, nosotros/as volvemos, vosotros/as volvéis, ellos/ellas/ustedes vuelven.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "volver"

Synonyms: regresar, retornar
Opposites: ir, salir, partir

💡 Did You Know?

The reflexive form, 'volverse', means 'to become'. For example, 'Me volví loco' means 'I became crazy' or 'I went crazy'.

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