volver
to return
Several meanings united by the idea of turning and returning
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
revolve
to turn in a circle
+
-er
verb suffix
Volver means to return and is a verb1 related to the English word revolve0, since something that revolves turns back to where it started.
volver
to return, to go back, to come back
Physically going back to a location.
- Volví a casa muy tarde = I came back home very late
- ¿Cuándo vuelves de tu viaje? = When do you return from your trip?
to turn, to flip
Physically turning or changing the direction of something.
- Volvió la cabeza hacia la ventana = She turned her head toward the window
- Vuelve la tortilla con cuidado = Flip the omelette carefully
volver a [verb]
to do again
When you 'return to' an action, you're doing it again.
- Volví a leer el libro = I read the book again
- Vuelve a intentarlo, esta vez con más calma = Try it again, this time more calmly
volverse
to become, to turn into
When you become something, you 'turn yourself' into it.
- Se volvió muy serio después del accidente = He became very serious after the accident
- El cielo se volvió oscuro de repente = The sky turned dark suddenly
to return, to go back, to come back (emphatic)
Physically returning or going back to a location, with more emphasis on personal involvement ("I myself came back").
- Me volví a casa en cuanto pude = I went back home as soon as I could
- Se volvieron al pueblo después de años en la ciudad = They returned to the village after years in the city
to turn around
When you turn yourself, you're turning around to face the other way.
- Se volvió y me miró fijamente = He turned around and stared at me
- Me volví al escuchar mi nombre = I turned around when I heard my name