turn back

volver

hacer volver

Dictionary

Examples

turn back(

)

An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g. Everybody please stand up.).

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to retrace one's steps)

a. volver

A storm blew up and the boat had to turn back to port.Se levantó una tormenta y el barco tuvo que volver a puerto.

b. volverse

He turned back to confront the man who was following him.Se volvió para enfrentar al hombre que lo seguía.

c. desandar el camino

I wasn't going to turn back when I was so close to my destination.No iba a desandar el camino cuando estaba tan cerca de mi meta.

d. regresar

We'll have to turn back now. We only hired these kayaks for two hours.Ya tenemos que regresar, alquilamos estos kayaks solo por dos horas.

2. (to return to a previous situation)

a. volverse atrás

It's too late to turn back now. We've invested a lot of money in this project.Ya es demasiado tarde para volverse atrás, hemos invertido mucho dinero en este proyecto.

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.).

transitive verb phrase

3. (to cause to return)

a. hacer volver

Police turned back demonstrators before they could get to the courthouse.La policía hizo volver a los manifestantes antes de que pudieran llegar al juzgado.

b. hacer regresar

Hundreds of refugees are being turned back at the border.Están haciendo regresar a centenares de refugiados en la frontera.

4. (to reset)

a. retrasar

It will get dark earlier once we turn the clocks back.Oscurecerá más temprano una vez que hayamos retrasado los relojes.

5. (to fold back)

a. doblar

I turned the sheets back to air the bed.Doblé las sábanas para airear la cama.

turn back

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.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (general)

to t somebody backhacer volver a alguien

to t the clocks backatrasar los relojes

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

2. (general)

he turned backvolvió sobre sus pasos

t back to page 12volvamos a la página 12

turn back

verb:intransitive:plus_adverb

1 (in journey etc) volverse (atrás); desandar el camino