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"Volver" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to return", and "comenzar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to begin". Learn more about the difference between "volver" and "comenzar" below.
volver(
bohl
-
behr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to return
Vuelve con el recibo si quieres un crédito en la tienda.Return with the receipt if you want store credit.
b. to come back
Odio tener que volver al trabajo.I hate having to come back to work.
c. to go back
Solo llevo una semana de vuelta pero ya quiero volver a España.I've only been back a week and I already want to go back to Spain.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¡Tengo que volver a limpiarlo todo!I have to clean everything again!
Volverá a llover este fin de semana.It will rain again this weekend.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to turn
Volvió la cabeza y allí estaba ella.He turned his head and there she was.
a. to turn
Los años la volvieron cínica y amargada.The years have turned her cynical and bitter.
volverse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to become
Andrés se volvió un poco difícil durante la adolescencia.Andres became a little difficult in adolescence.
b. to get
Te has vuelto flaquito desde que comenzaste la dieta.You've gotten skinny since you started the diet.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to return
Se volvió a España porque no encontró trabajo acá.He returned to Spain because he couldn't find a job here.
b. to come back
Vuélvanse antes de que los agarre la tormenta.Come back before you get caught in the storm.
c. to go back
Me tuve que volver temprano para sacar al perro.I had to go back early to take the dog out.
a. to turn around
Me volví para enfrentar a los que me estaban insultando.I turned around to face those who were insulting me.
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comenzar(
koh
-
mehn
-
sahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to begin
Pueden comenzar el examen ahora.You can begin the exam now.
b. to start
Quiero comenzar a hacer yoga.I want to start doing yoga.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to start
El curso comenzará en otoño.The course will start in the fall.
b. to begin
Quedan 15 minutos antes de que comience el partido.There are 15 minutes left before the game starts.
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