How to Say "to reciprocate" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to reciprocate” is “corresponder” — use 'corresponder' when you mean to return a feeling, action, or favor, especially in personal relationships or social interactions..
corresponder
/ko-rre-spon-DARE//koresponˈder/
Examples
Él me ama, pero yo no puedo corresponderle.
He loves me, but I can't return his feelings.
Ella siempre corresponde a mis invitaciones con un regalo.
She always reciprocates my invitations with a gift.
Fue un amor no correspondido.
It was unrequited love (love not returned).
Using the word 'a'
When you return a feeling to someone, you usually need the word 'a' before the person or thing receiving the action.
Confusing with 'responder'
Mistake: “Respondí a su amor.”
Correction: Correspondí a su amor. Use 'corresponder' for returning feelings; 'responder' is just answering a question.
retornar
/reh-tor-NAR//re.toɾˈnaɾ/
Examples
La inversión retornó grandes beneficios.
The investment returned great profits.
Quiero retornar el favor que me hiciste.
I want to return the favor you did for me.
Direct Action
When using this to mean 'returning something,' the item being returned follows the verb directly without any small connector words.
Using it for physical gifts
Mistake: “Quiero retornar este regalo.”
Correction: Quiero devolver este regalo. (Retornar sounds like a bank operation or a very poetic act here; use devolver for shop returns).
Corresponder vs. Retornar
Related Translations
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