Inklingo
Dictionary

volviendo

bol-byén-dobolˈbjendo

“volviendo” means “returning” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

returningA1Verb

going back to a place

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turningB1Verb

rotating or changing orientation

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becomingB2Verb

changing condition or state

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returning, coming backAlso: going back

VerbA1irregular (o>ue stem change, irregular past participle) er
A small figure walking on a path towards a colorful, welcoming house, illustrating the concept of returning or going back to a place.
past Participlevuelto
infinitivevolver
gerundvolviendo

📝 In Action

Estamos volviendo de la playa. ¡Hace mucho tráfico!

A1

We are returning from the beach. There is a lot of traffic!

Llevo tres horas volviendo a mi ciudad natal.

A2

I've been returning to my hometown for three hours.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar volviendo – to be returning (right now)
  • sigo volviendo – I keep returning/I am still returning

turning, flippingAlso: revolving

VerbB1gerund of 'volver' er
A thick red arrow spinning clockwise on a plain background, representing the concept of turning or rotation.
past Participlevuelto
infinitivevolver
gerundvolviendo

📝 In Action

El chef está volviendo la carne en la parrilla para que no se queme.

B1

The chef is turning the meat on the grill so it doesn't burn.

Estaba volviendo las páginas de un libro antiguo con cuidado.

B2

I was turning the pages of an old book carefully.

Word Connections

Synonyms

becoming, turning intoAlso: going (crazy/mad)

VerbB2gerund of 'volver' (often reflexive 'volverse') er
A green caterpillar visibly transitioning into a colorful butterfly, depicting a change in state or condition.
past Participlevuelto
infinitivevolver
gerundvolviendo

📝 In Action

Me estoy volviendo loco con tanto ruido.

B2

I am going crazy with so much noise.

La situación política se está volviendo cada vez más tensa.

C1

The political situation is becoming increasingly tense.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • volviéndose popular – becoming popular
  • volviéndose difícil – becoming difficult

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yovolviera
túvolvieras
él/ella/ustedvolviera
nosotrosvolviéramos
vosotrosvolvierais
ellos/ellas/ustedesvolvieran

Present Subjunctive

yovuelva
túvuelvas
él/ella/ustedvuelva
nosotrosvolvamos
vosotrosvolváis
ellos/ellas/ustedesvuelvan

Indicative

Preterite

yovolví
túvolviste
él/ella/ustedvolvió
nosotrosvolvimos
vosotrosvolvisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesvolvieron

Imperfect

yovolvía
túvolvías
él/ella/ustedvolvía
nosotrosvolvíamos
vosotrosvolvíais
ellos/ellas/ustedesvolvían

Present

yovuelvo
túvuelves
él/ella/ustedvuelve
nosotrosvolvemos
vosotrosvolvéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesvuelven
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "volviendo" in Spanish:

becomingcoming backflippinggoing backreturningrevolvingturningturning into

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: volviendo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'volviendo' to describe an ongoing change of state?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
volver(to return (infinitive)) — Verb
la vuelta(the return; the turn) — Noun
revuelta(revolt; turn (in the road)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
muriendosintiendo
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin word *volvere*, which meant 'to roll' or 'to turn.' Over time, the meaning evolved in Spanish to include the idea of 'turning back' or 'returning.'

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: volgerePortuguese: volver

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is 'volviendo' different from 'vuelto'?

'Volviendo' is the gerund form, used for actions that are currently in progress ('I am returning'). 'Vuelto' is the past participle, used to form perfect tenses with 'haber' ('I have returned') or as an adjective.

Can I use 'volviendo' by itself, without 'estar'?

Yes! You can use 'volviendo' like an adverb to describe how the main action happens, often meaning 'while returning' or 'by turning.' For example: 'Volviendo, vi un accidente' (While returning, I saw an accident).