devuélvelo
/debwelbelo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'give it back' is expressed as devuélvelo.
This phrase is used as a request or command to return something to the person who originally owned it.
What does it mean word for word?
The word devuélvelo is composed of the imperative verb devuelve (return) and the object pronoun lo (it).
Which one should you use?
You can use Devuelve eso to specifically say 'give that back' in an informal setting. For a very formal way to say 'please do me the favor of giving it back', use Por favor, haga el favor de devolverlo.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to specify that the object should be returned specifically to you, you add the indirect object pronoun 'me' to get Devuélvemelo (give it back to me). To command a group of people to give it back, use the plural form devuélvanlo.
How do you pronounce it?
/debwelbelo/
Did you know?
- The verb devolver shares a root with the English word 'revolve'. Both come from the Latin volvere, meaning 'to roll' or 'to turn', essentially describing the act of turning something back to its owner.
- While devuélvelo is the standard command, in many Spanish-speaking countries you might hear regrésalo instead. This uses the verb regresar, which usually means 'to return' in the sense of coming back from a trip.
- Using the command devuélvelo without adding por favor can sound significantly more aggressive in Spanish than 'give it back' does in English.
Examples in context
- ¡Devuélvelo!Give it back!This sentence is useful for practicing the command devuélvelo.Tatoeba #1404316 by enteka, translation #651597 by orbpic
- Por favor, devuélvalo antes del jueves.Please give it back before Thursday.
- Le ruego que devuelva eso de inmediato.I kindly ask you to give that back immediately.
- Por favor, haga el favor de devolverlo a la brevedad posible.Please do me the favor of returning it as soon as possible.
- Oye, devuélvemelo pronto.Hey, give it back to me soon.
- Devuelve eso, no es tuyo.Give that back, it's not yours.
- Dame eso, lo necesito de vuelta.Give me that, I need it back.
- Es mío, ¡devuélvelo!It is mine, give it back!
- Si te lo presté, devuélvelo pronto.If I lent it to you, give it back soon.
Example conversation
Lucía sees Daniel playing with her favorite pen.
- LucíaEse bolígrafo es mío.That pen is mine.
- DanielSolo lo estaba mirando.I was only looking at it.
- LucíaNo me gusta que lo tengas, devuélvelo.I don't like you having it, give it back.
- DanielEstá bien, Lucía, lo siento.Okay, Lucía, I am sorry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
