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volviera

bol-BYE-ra/bolˈbjera/

“volviera” means “(that I/he/she) returned” in Spanish (Used in wishes or necessity clauses).

(that I/he/she) returned, were to return

Also: (that I/he/she) came back
VerbB2irregular (stem changing o>ue in present tenses) er
A colorful storybook illustration showing a bright red boomerang curving through the air, clearly returning to an outstretched hand waiting to catch it.
infinitivevolver
gerundvolviendo
past Participlevuelto

📝 In Action

Esperaba que mi hermano volviera antes de la cena.

B2

I hoped that my brother would return before dinner.

Si volviera a nacer, elegiría la misma profesión.

C1

If I were born again (were to return to be born), I would choose the same profession.

Era necesario que usted volviera a firmar los papeles.

B2

It was necessary that you return to sign the papers.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • Si volviera a... – If I were to return to...
  • Me gustaría que volviera. – I would like him/her to return.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedvuelve
yovuelvo
túvuelves
ellos/ellas/ustedesvuelven
nosotrosvolvemos
vosotrosvolvéis

imperfect

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

preterite

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

subjunctive

present

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

imperfect

él/ella/ustedvolviera / volviese
yovolviera / volviese
túvolvieras / volvieses
ellos/ellas/ustedesvolvieran / volviesen
nosotrosvolviéramos / volviésemos
vosotrosvolvierais / volvieseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: volviera

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'volviera' to express a past desire?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
volver(to return) — Verb
la vuelta(the return; the turn) — Noun
la voltereta(somersault) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The verb *volver* comes from the Latin word *volvere*, meaning 'to roll' or 'to turn.' This root explains both the 'return' meaning (turning back) and the figurative meaning of 'turning' or 'changing' something.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: volverItalian: volgere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'volviera' the same as 'volvió'?

No, they are very different! 'Volvió' is the simple past tense (He returned), used for facts. 'Volviera' is the special subjunctive past form (That he returned), used for wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations.

Can I use 'volviera' to talk about the future?

Yes, but only in hypothetical sentences! For example, 'Si volviera a llover...' means 'If it were to rain again...'—the action is future, but the form is used because the situation is hypothetical.