volver a la escuela
/bolbeɾ a la eskwela/from spelling rules
The English phrase "return to school" is translated into Spanish as volver a la escuela.
volver a la escuela is used both to describe returning to a specific school after a holiday and to express the general concept of resuming one's education. You can also use the synonym regresar a la escuela to mean the same thing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb volver (to return), the preposition a (to), the article la (the) and the noun escuela (school).
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often omit the article in the phrase "return to school", in Spanish you must include the definite article la before escuela.
Did you know?
- The word escuela shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'leisure'. It stems from the Greek 'skholē', which originally referred to 'spare time' used for intellectual conversation rather than work.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the 'return to school' is marked by the vuelta al cole, a specific shopping season for stationery and uniforms.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, instead of escuela, people often use the word colegio to refer to the institution one returns to.
Examples in context
- Estimados padres y apoderados, Les informamos que el próximo mes nuestros estudiantes regresarán a la escuela. Por favor, estén atentos a las fechas y horarios indicados. Atentamente, [Nombre de la escuela].Dear parents and guardians, We would like to inform you that next month our students will return to school. Please pay attention to the indicated dates and schedules. Sincerely, [School Name].
- Estoy emocionado(a) de volver al colegioI am excited to go back to school
- Es hora de volver a la escuela.It is time to return to school.
- Tengo miedo de volver a la escuela.I am afraid of returning to school.
- Ella quiere volver a la escuela este año.She wants to return to school this year.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their future plans.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿estás feliz con tu trabajo actual?Daniel, are you happy with your current job?
- DanielNo mucho, por eso quiero volver a la escuela.Not much, that is why I want to return to school.
- Lucía¡Qué buena idea! ¿Qué quieres estudiar?What a great idea! What do you want to study?
- DanielMe gustaría estudiar ingeniería civil.I would like to study civil engineering.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, escuela, la, volver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
