Devolver and Volver

Question

Hello everyone,

Firstly I wanted to say how good the new Spanishdict website looks.

Secondly, I would like to ask what is the difference between the verbs "devolver and volver" and is there a protocol when chosing the correct one to use, when they both mean "to return"?

Thanks

• volver for people --------devolver for things - ray Sep 6, 2009

Answer 1

I never realized that these verbs can actually be translated the same.

"Volver" means to come back to the same place, to go back (=return), or to turn over.

"Devolver" means to give/take/pay something back , to refund (=return), or to restore (put things the way they were).

Although both can be translated as "return" in some sentences, their meaning is quite different.

Answer 2

Devolver means to give back, to return something. Like a book from the library. Here's an example in the dictionary "Si no queda satisfecho, le devolvemos el dinero."

Volver means to go back, as in return. Here's an example, "Aún no ha vuelto del trabajo."

Answer 3

Devolver is also used as devaluation. Example: The Dollar devolvio three points against the Euro.

Answer 4

delvolver means to give back something

Answer 5

I think you might be mistaking this with

de volver....

Se olvidó de volver al colegio.

Probably not, I will leave it anyway

• Nice to learn something else related to this in the process. - katydew Nov 13, 2011

Answer 6

Por si sirve de algo aunque sea un poco asqueroso xd tambien se puede usar devolver como "Vomit" xd