volvimos
/bol-VEE-mos/
we returned
Volvimos: We returned to a place.
volvimos(verb)
we returned
?to a place (finished action)
,we came back
?to a place (finished action)
we got back
?informal return
📝 In Action
Volvimos a casa muy tarde después de la fiesta.
A1We returned home very late after the party.
Cuando volvimos de vacaciones, el jardín estaba seco.
A2When we came back from vacation, the garden was dry.
Les dijimos que volvimos porque extrañábamos la comida.
A2We told them we returned because we missed the food.
💡 Grammar Points
Preterite Tense
This form ('volvimos') tells you that the action of returning happened and finished completely at a specific time in the past (e.g., yesterday, last week).
The 'We' Form
The '-imos' ending is always used when the subject is 'nosotros' (we), regardless of whether the verb is -ar, -er, or -ir in the preterite tense.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Tenses
Mistake: "Usando 'volvíamos' cuando la acción fue puntual."
Correction: Use 'volvimos' (simple past) for single, completed past actions. 'Volvíamos' (imperfect) is for actions that were repeated or ongoing in the past.
⭐ Usage Tips
To vs. From
When saying 'we returned TO a place,' use the preposition 'a' (Volvimos A la ciudad). When saying 'we returned FROM a place,' use 'de' (Volvimos DE la ciudad).
Volvimos: We turned to change direction.
volvimos(verb)
we turned
?to change direction
we turned over
?flipping something
📝 In Action
Volvimos la cabeza para ver qué pasaba detrás de nosotros.
B1We turned our heads to see what was happening behind us.
Volvimos la tortilla para que se cocinara bien por el otro lado.
B1We flipped the tortilla so it would cook well on the other side.
💡 Grammar Points
Using Reflexive Volver
To say 'we turned ourselves around' (focusing on our own movement), you use the reflexive form: 'Nos volvimos'. This definition uses the non-reflexive 'volver' (volvimos) meaning 'we turned something else' (like a page or our head).
Volvimos: We did it again (repetition).
volvimos(verb)
we did (something) again
?Repetition of an action
we went back to (doing something)
?Resuming an activity
📝 In Action
Después de la pausa, volvimos a trabajar en el proyecto.
B2After the break, we went back to working on the project (or: we worked on the project again).
Volvimos a ver esa película porque nos encantó.
B2We watched that movie again because we loved it.
Cometimos un error, pero luego volvimos a intentarlo.
C1We made a mistake, but then we tried again.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Do It Again' Structure
To express repetition, Spanish uses the formula: 'volver' (conjugated) + 'a' + the action verb in its base form (infinitive). Example: 'volvimos a comer' means 'we ate again'.
Preterite vs. Present
This 'volvimos' structure means the repetition itself happened in the past. If you want to say 'we repeat' right now, you would use 'volvemos a...'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation
Mistake: "Decir 'repetimos la película' en lugar de 'volvimos a ver la película'."
Correction: While 'repetir' works for some things, 'volver a + infinitive' is the much more natural and common way to say 'do something again.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
preterite
present
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: volvimos
Question 1 of 2
Which English sentence is best translated by 'Volvimos a comprar leche'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'volvimos' the same as 'volvemos'?
No, they are different! 'Volvimos' means 'we returned' (a finished action in the past). 'Volvemos' means 'we return' or 'we are returning' (present action). Pay attention to the vowel in the middle!
Is 'volver' a stem-changing verb?
Yes, but not always! In the Present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' (vuelvo, vuelves, vuelve). However, in the Preterite tense (where 'volvimos' comes from), it is a regular verb, so the stem stays 'volv-' throughout.