The Present Tense of Devolver is used to describe actions that are happening right now or that occur habitually. For example, Devuelvo el libro a la biblioteca. (I return the book to the library.)

Devolver is a stem-changing verb, meaning the vowel in the stem changes from ‘o’ to ‘ue’ in some conjugations. This is a common pattern for many Spanish verbs.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Devolver (to return) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

Devolver generally means to return or give back something, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.

To return an object: For example, Devuelvo el libro a la biblioteca. (I return the book to the library.)

To give back or repay: For example, Devuelvo el dinero que me prestaste. (I give back the money you lent me.)

To respond or reply: For example, Devuelvo su saludo con una sonrisa. (I respond to their greeting with a smile.)

To reflect or bounce back: For example, El espejo devuelve la imagen. (The mirror reflects the image.)

To vomit (colloquial): For example, Después de beber tanto, devuelvo todo. (After drinking so much, I throw up everything.)

To return an insult (colloquial): For example, Si me insultas, te devuelvo el insulto. (If you insult me, I’ll insult you back.)

Examples

Examples of Devolver in the Present Tense

Yo devuelvo los libros a la biblioteca cada semana. (I return the books to the library every week.)

Tú devuelves la pelota con mucha fuerza. (You hit the ball back with a lot of force.)

Ella devuelve las llamadas tan pronto como puede. (She returns calls as soon as she can.)

Nosotros devolvemos los favores que nos hacen. (We return the favors that are done for us.)

¿Devolvéis las botellas vacías para reciclar? (Do you return the empty bottles for recycling?)

Ellos devuelven los regalos que no les gustan. (They return the gifts they don’t like.)

En esta tienda, devuelven el dinero si no estás satisfecho. (In this store, they refund your money if you’re not satisfied.)

Cuando termino de leer un libro, devuelvo el favor recomendándolo a mis amigos. (When I finish reading a book, I return the favor by recommending it to my friends.)

¿Devuelves los saludos cuando alguien te saluda? (Do you return greetings when someone greets you?)

Mi hermana devuelve las prendas que no le quedan bien. (My sister returns the clothes that don’t fit her well.)

Nosotros devolvemos los cumplidos con humildad. (We return compliments with humility.)

¿Devolvéis los platos sucios al mostrador después de comer? (Do you return the dirty dishes to the counter after eating?)

Ellos devuelven los golpes en el ring de boxeo. (They return punches in the boxing ring.)

Cuando alguien me hace un favor, devuelvo el gesto ayudándoles a ellos también. (When someone does me a favor, I return the gesture by helping them too.)

¿Devuelves los carritos del supermercado a su lugar después de usarlos? (Do you return the shopping carts to their place after using them?)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Devolver (to return) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.