vuelvo
“vuelvo” means “I return” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
I return, I come back
Also: I go 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.
I turn (something)
Also: I face
📝 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.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ 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▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 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)
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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.