If you’ve ever mixed up volver and devolver, you’re not alone! These two Spanish verbs both relate to “returning,” but they’re used in completely different situations. Understanding when to use each one is crucial for speaking Spanish accurately. In this complete guide, we’ll break down the differences with clear examples, conjugation charts, and practice exercises to help you master these essential verbs.
The Key Difference: People vs. Things
The simplest way to remember the difference is:
- Volver = To return yourself to a place OR to do something again
- Devolver = To return an object or give something back
Think of the “de-” in devolver as indicating you’re dealing with an object that you’re giving back.
Volver: Returning or Repeating
Volver has two main uses:
1. Returning to a Place
Use volver when a person or animal returns to a location.
- “Vuelvo a casa a las seis.” (I return home at six.)
- “¿Cuándo vuelves de vacaciones?” (When do you return from vacation?)
- “Ellos vuelven al restaurante frecuentemente.” (They return to the restaurant frequently.)
2. Doing Something Again (volver a + infinitive)
This construction means “to do something again” or “to do something once more.”
- “Vuelvo a leer el libro.” (I read the book again.)
- “Volvimos a intentar resolver el problema.” (We tried to solve the problem again.)
- “Ella vuelve a llamar mañana.” (She will call again tomorrow.)
Devolver: Returning Objects
Devolver is used specifically for returning objects or giving things back.
- “Devuelvo el libro a la biblioteca.” (I return the book to the library.)
- “Tienes que devolver el dinero que pediste prestado.” (You have to return the money you borrowed.)
- “¿Ya devolviste las llaves?” (Did you already return the keys?)
Conjugation Patterns: Both Are Stem-Changing
Both volver and devolver are stem-changing verbs (o→ue) in the present tense, which means the “o” changes to “ue” in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Volver Conjugation (Present Tense)
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | vuelvo | Yo vuelvo a casa. |
| Tú | vuelves | Tú vuelves pronto. |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | vuelve | Él vuelve a intentarlo. |
| Nosotros | volvemos | Nosotros volvemos al trabajo. |
| Vosotros | volvéis | Vosotros volvéis tarde. |
| Ellos/Uds. | vuelven | Ellos vuelven a llamar. |
Devolver Conjugation (Present Tense)
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | devuelvo | Yo devuelvo el coche. |
| Tú | devuelves | Tú devuelves los libros. |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | devuelve | Ella devuelve el regalo. |
| Nosotros | devolvemos | Nosotros devolvemos el dinero. |
| Vosotros | devolvéis | Vosotros devolvéis las llaves. |
| Ellos/Uds. | devuelven | Ellos devuelven el equipo. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect: “Devuelvo a casa a las cinco.”
Correct: “Vuelvo a casa a las cinco.” (You return yourself, not an object) - Incorrect: “Vuelvo el libro a la tienda.”
Correct: “Devuelvo el libro a la tienda.” (You return an object, not yourself) - Remember: “Volver a + infinitive” is a fixed expression for repeating actions.
Memory Tricks
- Volver has 6 letters – think of the 6 o’clock time you might return home
- Devolver has 8 letters – think of the 8 items you might need to return to a store
- Associate the “de-” in devolver with “detach” – you’re detaching yourself from an object
Practice with Real Examples
Which verb completes each sentence?
- Tengo que ______ este vestido a la tienda porque no me queda bien. (devolver)
- Siempre ______ a visitar a mis abuelos los domingos. (vuelvo)
- ¿Podrías ______ a explicar la lección? (volver a)
- Los estudiantes ______ los exámenes al profesor. (devuelven)
Test Your Knowledge
Ready to practice what you’ve learned? Our interactive Volver vs Devolver Quiz includes 25 questions that will help you master these verbs in different contexts.
Take the Interactive Volver vs Devolver Quiz
More Spanish Verb Resources
Struggling with other Spanish verbs? Check out our additional resources:
- Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool – Practice any verb in all tenses
- Stem-Changing Verbs Guide – Master o→ue, e→ie, and e→i patterns
- Spanish Verbs Quiz Hub – Test yourself on all verb types
Conclusion
Mastering volver and devolver is easier when you remember the simple rule: volver for people returning or actions repeating, devolver for objects being returned. With consistent practice using our examples and quiz, you’ll be using these verbs confidently in no time. ¡Vuelve a practicar todos los días! (Practice again every day!)
