Volver Conjugation: Vuelvo, Volví, Vuelto and Every Tense (Chart)

Volver means "to return" or "to come back." It's an o→ue stem-changing verb in the present (vuelvo, vuelves, vuelve, volvemos, volvéis, vuelven) with an irregular past participle, vuelto. The preterite is regular: volví, volvió, volvieron.

Volver Conjugation Chart

Indicative: present, preterite and imperfect

Future, conditional and present perfect

Subjunctive

Commands (imperative)

Gerund: volviendo (estoy volviendo) · Past participle: vuelto (he vuelto)

What Makes Volver Irregular

Volver has only two irregularities:

• o→ue when the stem is stressed: vuelvo, vuelves, vuelve, vuelven, but volvemos, volvéis. The present subjunctive (vuelva, volvamos) and the tú command (vuelve) follow the same split.
• Irregular participle: vuelto, so he vuelto (I have returned), not "he volvido."

The preterite (volví), imperfect (volvía), future (volveré) and gerund (volviendo) are all regular. Other -olver verbs work the same way, including the participle: devolver (devuelto), resolver (resuelto), envolver (envuelto).

How to Use Volver

Volver has three common meanings:

• To return or come back: Vuelvo a casa a las seis. Regresar is a synonym, used more often in Latin America.
• Volver a + infinitive means "to do something again": No vuelvas a hacerlo (Don't do it again), Volví a llamarla (I called her again).
• Volverse means "to become," usually for a sudden or deep change: Se volvió muy famoso (He became very famous).

To return an object, use devolver, not volver: Tengo que devolver el libro a la biblioteca.

Common Expressions With Volver

Volver in Example Sentences

• Siempre vuelvo tarde del trabajo. (I always get back late from work.)
• ¿Cuándo volviste de vacaciones? (When did you get back from vacation?)
• De niño, volvía a casa andando. (As a kid, I used to walk home.)
• Volveremos el año que viene. (We'll come back next year.)
• No sé si ha vuelto ya. (I don't know if she's come back yet.)
• Quiero que vuelvas antes de medianoche. (I want you back before midnight.)

Common Mistakes With Volver

• "Volvido" instead of vuelto. The participle is irregular: he vuelto.
• "Vuelvemos" instead of volvemos. Nosotros keeps the o.
• Using volver for returning objects. Say devolver el dinero, not "volver el dinero."
• "Vuelví" instead of volví. The preterite has no stem change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the past participle of volver?

The past participle is vuelto, as in He vuelto (I have come back).

Is volver stem-changing in the preterite?

No. The preterite is regular: volví, volviste, volvió, volvimos, volvisteis, volvieron.

What does volver a mean?

Volver a + infinitive means to do something again: Volvió a llover (It rained again).

What's the difference between volver and devolver?

Volver is to return yourself, to go or come back. Devolver is to return something, to give it back.

Keep Practicing

The quiz below mixes pronouns and tenses from the chart above. For more practice, these guides pair well with volver:

• Poder Conjugation: Puedo, Pude, Podría and Every Tense (Chart)
• Conocer Conjugation: Conozco, Conocí, Conozca and Every Tense (Chart)
• A Practical Guide to Mastering ER Verbs Spanish
• Imperfect Or Preterite A Guide to Spanish Past Tenses