The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of devolver is used to give direct orders or instructions to return something, for example Devuélveme el libro. (Return the book to me.)

Devolver is a stem-changing verb, meaning the vowel in the stem changes from ‘o’ to ‘ue’ in certain conjugations. This pattern is common for verbs like devolver that end in ‘-olver’.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Devolver (to return) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish):

Devolver generally means to return or give back something, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

To return something: For example, Devuélveme mi libro (Return my book to me).

To give back: For example, Devuélvele el dinero que te prestó (Give him/her back the money he/she lent you).

To respond or reply: For example, Devuélvele el saludo a tu tía (Respond to your aunt’s greeting).

To vomit (colloquial): For example, Devuelve todo lo que tomaste anoche (Vomit everything you drank last night).

To hit back or retaliate (colloquial): For example, ¡Devuélvele el golpe! (Hit him/her back!)

Examples

Examples of Devolver in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Devuelve el libro a la biblioteca antes del viernes! (Return the book to the library before Friday!)

Por favor, devuelva la llave a la recepción cuando se vaya. (Please return the key to the front desk when you leave.)

Mamá, devolvamos estos zapatos y compremos otros que te queden mejor. (Mom, let’s return these shoes and buy others that fit you better.)

Oye amigo, devuelve mi chaqueta cuando termines de usarla. (Hey friend, return my jacket when you’re done using it.)

Señor, debe devolver el carrito de compras al área designada. (Sir, you must return the shopping cart to the designated area.)

Compañeros, devolvamos estos materiales al almacén antes de irnos. (Colleagues, let’s return these materials to the stockroom before we leave.)

¡Devuelvan los platos sucios a la cocina cuando terminen! (Return the dirty dishes to the kitchen when you’re done!)

Por favor devuelva el formulario completo antes del próximo lunes. (Please return the completed form before next Monday.)

Oye Juan, devuelve mi pelota cuando termines de jugar. (Hey Juan, return my ball when you’re done playing.)

Equipo, devolvamos estos documentos al archivo central. (Team, let’s return these documents to the central file.)

Señorita, devuelva el libro de texto al estante correspondiente. (Miss, return the textbook to its proper shelf.)

¡Devuelvan las toallas limpias a los casilleros! (Return the clean towels to the lockers!)

Antes de irnos, devolvamos estas herramientas al taller. (Before we leave, let’s return these tools to the workshop.)

Por favor devuelve mi llamada cuando puedas. (Please return my call when you can.)

¡Devuelvan los trajes alquilados mañana a más tardar! (Return the rented suits by tomorrow at the latest!)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Devolver (to return) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperative mood is also known as the Command Form, Affirmative Command Mood, or Direct Command Form in English, and as Modo Imperativo, Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, or Forma de Mandato in Spanish.