vuelven
“vuelven” means “they return” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
they return, you return
Also: they come back, they go back
📝 In Action
Mis padres siempre vuelven tarde del trabajo.
A1My parents always return late from work.
¿A qué hora vuelven ustedes de la excursión?
A2What time are you (all) coming back from the trip?
Las golondrinas vuelven cada primavera.
B1The swallows return every spring.
they do... again
Also: they repeat
📝 In Action
Si no estudian, vuelven a suspender el examen.
B1If they don't study, they will fail the exam again.
Los niños vuelven a preguntar por qué el cielo es azul.
B2The children are asking again why the sky is blue.
they turn
Also: they face, they flip over
📝 In Action
Los cocineros vuelven las tortillas en la sartén.
B2The cooks flip the tortillas in the pan.
Vuelven los ojos hacia el cielo, buscando la estrella fugaz.
C1They turn their eyes toward the sky, looking for the shooting star.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "vuelven" in Spanish:
they face→they repeat→they return→they turn→you return→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: vuelven
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'vuelven' is used in the sentence: 'Los niños vuelven a ver la película'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The verb 'volver' comes directly from the Latin verb *volvere*, which meant 'to roll' or 'to turn around.' Over time, the meaning evolved to 'return' because when you roll something, it often comes back to where it started.
First recorded: Before the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vuelven' the same as 'regresan'?
They are very similar! Both mean 'they return.' 'Volver' is slightly more flexible and is also used in the set phrase 'volver a + verb' (to do again), which 'regresar' cannot do.
Why does 'vuelven' have a 'u' but 'volvemos' does not?
This is because 'volver' is an irregular, stem-changing verb. The 'o' changes to 'ue' whenever it is stressed when you say it. Since the stress falls on the 'o' in 'vuelven', it changes. But in 'volvemos,' the stress is on the 'e' (vol-VÉ-mos), so the 'o' stays the same.