Inklingo
Dictionary

devuelve

deh-BWEL-behdeˈβwelβe

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

returnsA1Verb

giving back a physical object

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returns (a call/gesture)B1Verb

reciprocating an action

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returns, gives backAlso: 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)

VerbB1
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.

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

yodevuelvo
túdevuelves
él/ella/usteddevuelve
nosotrosdevolvemos
vosotrosdevolvéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdevuelven
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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "devuelve" in Spanish:

gives backreturns

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: devuelve

Question 1 of 1

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

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
devolver(to return (something)) — Verb
devolución(refund/return) — Noun
devuelto(returned) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
vuelvemuevellueve
📚 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.