Inklingo
Dictionary

vuelvo

bwel-voˈbwel.βo

“vuelvo” means “I return” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

I returnA1Verb

going back to a location

Learn more →
I turn (something)B2Verb

to rotate or flip an object

Learn more →

I return, I come backAlso: I go back

VerbA1irregular (stem-changing o→ue) er
A small child happily skipping towards a brightly colored, cozy house, symbolizing the action of returning home.
infinitivevolver
gerundvolviendo
past Participlevuelto

📝 In Action

Necesito ir al coche, pero vuelvo enseguida.

A1

I need to go to the car, but I'll return right away.

Después de la universidad, siempre vuelvo a casa de mis padres.

A2

After university, I always come back to my parents' house.

¿Dónde pongo este libro? Vuelvo a ponerlo en la estantería.

B1

Where do I put this book? I'll put it back on the shelf.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • vuelvo a empezar – I start again
  • vuelvo a llamar – I call back

I turn (something)Also: I face

VerbB2irregular (stem-changing o→ue) er
A chef's hand using a spatula to flip a golden brown pancake high above a frying pan.
infinitivevolver
gerundvolviendo
past Participlevuelto

📝 In Action

Si hace frío, vuelvo la chaqueta del revés para tener más calor.

B2

If it's cold, I turn the jacket inside out to be warmer.

Vuelvo la página y sigo leyendo el capítulo.

A2

I turn the page and continue reading the chapter.

Siempre vuelvo la cara cuando veo una película de terror.

C1

I always turn my face away when I watch a horror movie.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • vuelvo la esquina – I turn the corner
  • vuelvo la tortilla – I flip the omelet

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

yovolviera
túvolvieras
él/ella/ustedvolviera
nosotrosvolviéramos
vosotrosvolvierais
ellos/ellas/ustedesvolvieran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vuelvo" in Spanish:

i facei return

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vuelvo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'vuelvo' to mean 'I will do something again'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
volver(to return, to turn) — Verb
la vuelta(the return, the turn, the trip) — Noun
devolver(to give back) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes
remuevorenuevo
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin verb *volvere*, meaning 'to roll' or 'to turn around.' This original sense explains why the Spanish word means both 'to return' (rolling back to a place) and 'to turn' (physically rotating something).

First recorded: Around the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: volgereFrench: volver

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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.