devuelto
/debwelto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "returned" is translated into Spanish as devuelto.
The word devuelto is used to describe something that has been given back to its original owner or sender. It is the past participle of the verb devolver, which means to return or give back an object.
What does it mean word for word?
The prefix de- functions as a reversal or indicates a movement away from the original state or position.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions or contexts, the verb regresar can be used reflexively as regresarse.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a past participle, the form changes its ending to agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes: use devuelta for feminine nouns, devueltos for masculine plural nouns and devueltas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/debwelto/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, devolver can be used as a euphemism for vomiting, suggesting that the stomach has 'returned' the food.
- The root of devuelto is the Latin de- and volvere, meaning 'to roll back'. This makes it a linguistic relative of the English words 'revolve' and 'evolution'.
- While English uses 'returned' for a person arriving home, using devuelto for a person in Spanish would sound as if you are physically handing that person back to someone like a package.
Examples in context
- ¿No ha devuelto usted todavía esos libros?Haven't you returned those books yet?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has returned books using the form devuelto.Tatoeba #2266026 by cueyayotl, translation #2266025 by _undertoad
- Él sostenía que sí había devuelto el libro a la biblioteca.He claimed that he had returned the book to the library.This sentence is useful for describing a claim about having returned a book to the library using the form devuelto.Tatoeba #1313007 by marcelostockle, translation #288028 by CK
- Le cogió prestado un libro hace muchos años y todavía no lo ha devuelto.She borrowed a book from him many years ago and hasn't returned it yet.This sentence is useful for noting that a borrowed book has not been returned using the form devuelto.Tatoeba #5665918 by diegohn, translation #5665917 by diegohn
- Volví a casa después del trabajo.I returned home after work.
- El producto volvió a su estado original.The product returned to its original state.
- Devolví el libro a la biblioteca.I returned the book to the library.
- El cliente devolvió el producto defectuoso.The customer returned the defective product.
- Regresé a la fiesta después de un corto descanso.I returned to the party after a short break.
- Los chicos regresaron felices de su viaje.The kids returned happily from their trip.
- Volví de nuevo a ese restaurante que me gustó tanto.I returned once again to that restaurant I liked so much.
- Ella volvió de nuevo a mi vida.She returned to my life once again.
- El empleado reintegró el dinero al cliente insatisfecho.The employee returned the money to the dissatisfied customer.
- Retrocedamos al punto de partida.Let's return to the starting point.
- El tiempo retrocedió y volvimos a ser amigos.Time went back, and we became friends again.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a package that arrived at the house.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿ya has devuelto el paquete?Daniel, have you returned the package yet?
- DanielNo, todavía no lo he devuelto.No, I haven't returned it yet.
- ElenaTienes que enviarlo hoy mismo.You have to send it today.
- DanielEstá bien, será devuelto ahora.All right, it will be returned now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
