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"Volver" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to return", and "repetir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to do again". Learn more about the difference between "volver" and "repetir" below.
volver(
bohl
-
behr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to be back)
a. to return
Vuelve con el recibo si quieres un crédito en la tienda.Return with the receipt if you want store credit.
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. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word 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.).
3. (to swivel)
volverse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (to be back)
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.
repetir(
rreh
-
peh
-
teer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to redo)
a. to do again
El perro se comió mis deberes, y ahora tengo que repetirlos.The dog ate my homework and now I have to do it again.
a. to repeat
Solo lo diré una vez así que no me pidan que lo repita.I'll only say it once so don't ask me to repeat myself.
3. (to imitate)
a. to repeat
Mi hijo pequeño repite todo lo que su hermano dice.My younger son repeats everything his brother says.
4. (to retake)
a. to repeat
Si tu asistencia no mejora, tendrás que repetir el año.If your attendance does not improve, you will need to repeat the year.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to affect)
a. to have an aftertaste
Los pepinos no repiten si los pelas antes de comerlos.Cucumbers don't have an aftertaste if you remove the skin before eating them.
b. to repeat on (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No puedo comer ajo porque me repite.I can't eat garlic because it repeats on me.
a. to burp
Su marido siempre repite durante nuestra cena familiar. ¡Qué asco!Her husband always burps during our family dinner. How disgusting!
repetirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to recur
Esas fases se repiten cada cinco años por término medio.These phases recur every five years on average.
