vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Volver a" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to go back", and "otra vez" is a phrase which is often translated as "again". Learn more about the difference between "volver a" and "otra vez" below.
volver a(
bohl
-
behr
ah
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to go back
Mamá, ¿cuándo volvemos a casa? ¡Estoy cansada!Mon, when are we going back home? I'm tired!
a. to go back to
Después de una licencia por maternidad, no es sencillo volver a trabajar.After your maternity leave, it's never easy to go back to work.
Alana había dejado de fumar, pero ahora ha vuelto al tabaco, lamentablemente.Alana had quit smoking, but unfortunately she's gone back to cigarettes.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡No vuelvas a decirlo!Don't say that again!
No estaba, así que tendré que volver a llamarlo.He wasn't there, so I'll have to call him again.
otra vez(
oh
-
trah
behs
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (once more)
