vuelto
/bwel-toh/
returned
Vuelto (returned) is the irregular past participle of the verb volver (to return).
📝 In Action
Mi hermano todavía no ha vuelto a casa.
A2My brother hasn't returned home yet.
¿Has vuelto a leer ese libro?
B1Have you read that book again?
Cuando llegué, ellos ya habían vuelto del viaje.
B2When I arrived, they had already returned from the trip.
💡 Grammar Points
Irregular Past Participle
'Vuelto' is the special past form of 'volver'. You use it with the verb 'haber' (to have) to say what someone 'has done'. For example, 'he vuelto' means 'I have returned'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using '*Volvido*'
Mistake: "Mi padre ha *volvido* del trabajo."
Correction: Mi padre ha vuelto del trabajo. 'Volver' is an irregular verb, so its past participle is 'vuelto', not the regular-looking '*volvido'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Doing Something 'Again'
You can use 'volver a' + a verb's base form to say you've done something again. When you use this in the past with 'haber', it becomes 'he vuelto a...' (I have... again). For instance, 'He vuelto a llamar' means 'I have called again'.
As a noun, vuelto means the monetary change received after a purchase, especially common in Latin America.
📝 In Action
Pagué con un billete de veinte y me dieron el vuelto.
A2I paid with a twenty-dollar bill and they gave me the change.
Quédese con el vuelto.
B1Keep the change.
Disculpe, creo que me dio mal el vuelto.
B1Excuse me, I think you gave me the wrong change.
⭐ Usage Tips
Connection to 'Volver'
Think of 'vuelto' as the money that 'comes back' (vuelve) to you after you pay for something. This can help you remember the word!
Vuelto can be used as an adjective meaning 'turned' or oriented toward something.
vuelto(Adjective)
turned
?physically oriented
made
?transformed into something
,driven (crazy)
?figurative, with 'loco'
📝 In Action
El niño se quedó vuelto hacia la ventana, esperando a su mamá.
B2The boy remained turned toward the window, waiting for his mom.
Después del accidente, se ha vuelto una persona más cautelosa.
B2After the accident, he has become a more cautious person.
Este ruido constante me tiene vuelto loco.
B1This constant noise is driving me crazy.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching Gender and Number
When used like this, 'vuelto' is an adjective, so it must change to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'vuelto' (masculine singular), 'vuelta' (feminine singular), 'vueltos' (masculine plural), or 'vueltas' (feminine plural).
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Transformation
You'll often see 'vuelto' used with 'se ha' or 'me tiene' to talk about a change or transformation in a person. For example, 'Se ha vuelto famoso' (He has become famous).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vuelto
Question 1 of 1
In the sentence 'Aquí tiene su vuelto', what does 'vuelto' mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'vuelto' and 'cambio'?
They can both mean 'change' (money), but it often depends on where you are. In most of Latin America, 'vuelto' is the go-to word. In Spain, 'cambio' is much more common. 'Cambio' can also mean 'exchange' or a general 'change' of any kind, while 'vuelto' is almost exclusively for money returned after a purchase.
Why isn't it 'volvido'?
Because 'volver' is an irregular verb! Many common Spanish verbs have special, shortened past participles that don't follow the regular '-ado' or '-ido' pattern. You just have to memorize them, and 'vuelto' is one of the most important ones, along with 'hecho' (from hacer) and 'dicho' (from decir).