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 tardeI 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 ventanaShe turned her head toward the window
Vuelve la tortilla con cuidadoFlip the omelette carefully
volver a [verb]
to do again
When you 'return to' an action, you're doing it again.
Volví a leer el libroI read the book again
Vuelve a intentarlo, esta vez con más calmaTry 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 accidenteHe became very serious after the accident
El cielo se volvió oscuro de repenteThe 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 pudeI went back home as soon as I could
Se volvieron al pueblo después de años en la ciudadThey 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 fijamenteHe turned around and stared at me
Me volví al escuchar mi nombreI turned around when I heard my name