vuelvo
/bwel-vo/
I return
I return (vuelvo) to my house after a long journey.
vuelvo(verb)
I return
?going back to a location
,I come back
?arriving back at the speaker's location
I go back
?general movement back
📝 In Action
Necesito ir al coche, pero vuelvo enseguida.
A1I need to go to the car, but I'll return right away.
Después de la universidad, siempre vuelvo a casa de mis padres.
A2After university, I always come back to my parents' house.
¿Dónde pongo este libro? Vuelvo a ponerlo en la estantería.
B1Where do I put this book? I'll put it back on the shelf.
💡 Grammar Points
The O→UE Shoe Verb
In the present tense, the 'o' inside the verb stem changes to 'ue' for all subjects except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'. Think of this pattern as a boot or shoe shape!
Returning Action
To say 'I do something again,' you must use the structure: 'vuelvo a + [infinitive].' For example, 'vuelvo a leer' means 'I read again.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Yo volvo tarde."
Correction: Yo vuelvo tarde. The vowel change is essential in the 'yo' form.
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Reply
If you are leaving a friend briefly, you can simply say '¡Ya vuelvo!' ('I'll be right back!')
I turn (vuelvo) the pancake using the spatula.
vuelvo(verb)
I turn (something)
?to rotate or flip an object
I face
?changing direction
📝 In Action
Si hace frío, vuelvo la chaqueta del revés para tener más calor.
B2If it's cold, I turn the jacket inside out to be warmer.
Vuelvo la página y sigo leyendo el capítulo.
A2I turn the page and continue reading the chapter.
Siempre vuelvo la cara cuando veo una película de terror.
C1I always turn my face away when I watch a horror movie.
💡 Grammar Points
Often needs an object
When used in the sense of 'turning' something, 'vuelvo' usually requires the thing you are turning to be mentioned right after it (e.g., 'vuelvo la silla' — I turn the chair).
⭐ Usage Tips
Volverse (I become)
The form me vuelvo (I turn myself) is used reflexively to mean 'I become' or 'I change into,' usually describing a change in personality or state (e.g., 'Me vuelvo loco' — I go crazy).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vuelvo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'vuelvo' to mean 'I will do something again'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest difference between 'vuelvo' and 'regreso'?
'Vuelvo' (from *volver*) is more common and often implies a change in direction or state, as well as returning. 'Regreso' (from *regresar*) means purely 'I return' and is always regular (it doesn't have the 'o→ue' vowel change).
Why does the verb 'volver' change its stem in the present tense?
This is a historical change that happened in many Spanish verbs. The 'o' changes to 'ue' when it is stressed during speaking. We call these 'boot verbs' because the subjects that change ('yo, tú, él, ellos') form a boot shape around the unchanging 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.