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devuelve

deh-BWEL-beh/deˈβwelβe/

“devuelve” means “returns” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

returns, gives back

Also: return (command)
VerbA1irregular (stem-changing) er
A person handing a library book back to a librarian across a counter.
gerunddevolviendo
past Participledevuelto
infinitivedevolver

📝 In Action

Él devuelve los libros a la biblioteca.

A1

He returns the books to the library.

¡Devuelve mi teléfono ahora mismo!

A2

Give back my phone right now!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • restituye (restores/returns)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • devuelve el favor – returns the favor
  • devuelve la llamada – calls back

returns (a call/gesture)

A person waving back to a friend who is waving from a distance.

📝 In Action

Ella siempre me devuelve la llamada.

B1

She always returns my call.

Si le sonríes, él te devuelve la sonrisa.

B1

If you smile at him, he returns the smile.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdevolvieran
yodevolviera
túdevolvieras
vosotrosdevolvierais
nosotrosdevolviéramos
él/ella/usteddevolviera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdevuelvan
yodevuelva
túdevuelvas
vosotrosdevolváis
nosotrosdevolvamos
él/ella/usteddevuelva

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdevolvieron
yodevolví
túdevolviste
vosotrosdevolvisteis
nosotrosdevolvimos
él/ella/usteddevolvió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdevolvían
yodevolvía
túdevolvías
vosotrosdevolvíais
nosotrosdevolvíamos
él/ella/usteddevolvía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdevuelven
yodevuelvo
túdevuelves
vosotrosdevolvéis
nosotrosdevolvemos
él/ella/usteddevuelve
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "devuelve" in Spanish:

gives back→returns→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: devuelve

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence means 'Return the book to me!'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'devolvere', meaning 'to roll back' or 'to roll down'. It combines 'de-' (back/down) and 'volvere' (to roll).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: devolveFrench: dévolver

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'devuelve' mean 'he returns' from a trip?

No. For a person returning from a trip, use 'vuelve'. 'Devuelve' is specifically for returning an object or a gesture.