volver
/bolˈbeɾ/
To return in Spanish is volver.
Volver means to go or come back to a place where one has been before. It can also be used to describe repeating an action when followed by the preposition a and an infinitive.
Which one should you use?
While volver and regresar are often interchangeable, regresar is frequently used when the focus is specifically on the act of arriving back at a starting point.
How does it change in a sentence?
Volver is a stem-changing verb. In many present tense forms, the o changes to ue, such as in vuelvo (I return) or vuelves (you return). Additionally, the construction volver a followed by an infinitive is used to express that an action is being repeated, meaning 'to do [something] again'.
How do you pronounce it?
/bolˈbeɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying ya vuelvo (I'll be right back) can be used as a polite way to end a conversation without actually intending to return immediately.
- The phrase volver en sí uses the word for 'return' to describe the act of regaining consciousness or coming to one's senses.
- The word volver comes from the Latin volvere, meaning 'to roll'. This connects the idea of returning to the physical motion of a wheel or a rolling object turning back around.
Examples in context
- Ya es hora de volver.It is already time to return.This sentence demonstrates the use of volver to indicate it is time to return.Tatoeba #7303999 by arh, translation #7305217 by Bond21
- Quiero volver ese día.I want to return to that day.This sentence uses volver to express a desire to return to a specific time.Tatoeba #5649197 by Kiraness, translation #5622714 by davidb
- Necesito volver a Boston.I have to return to Boston.This sentence shows how to use volver to express the necessity of returning to a specific place.Tatoeba #10854979 by UristMcNani, translation #6353934 by CK
- Mi vuelo sale pronto, debo regresar a mi hotel.My flight leaves soon, I must return to my hotel.
- Disculpe, tengo que volver a la oficina.Excuse me, I have to return to the office.
- Me voy un momento, pero vengo enseguida.I'm going away for a moment, but I'll be right back.
- Debo devolver el libro a la biblioteca y después vuelvo.I have to return the book to the library and then I'll come back.
- Voy a volver a mi casa más tarde.I'm going to return home later.
- ¿Cuándo regresas a casa?When are you coming back home?
- Vuelve a llamarme más tarde, por favor.Please call me back later.
- Voy a ir al supermercado, pero vuelvo pronto.I'm going to the supermarket, but I'll be back soon.
- No te olvides de devolver los libros a la biblioteca.Don't forget to return the books to the library.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking at the airport.
- Mateo¿Cuándo vas a volver?When are you going to return?
- ElenaVoy a volver el próximo mes.I am going to return next month.
- MateoQué bueno que puedas volver pronto.It's good that you can return soon.
- ElenaSí, te veré cuando vuelva.Yes, I will see you when I return.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry volver, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries volver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
