Returned and wrapped in Spanish (Devueltos y envueltos en español) / 5 minutos de español / English version + Podcast

 

Hello, how are you! Good morning, good afternoon or good evening, depending on where you are or what time you're listening to us.

 

Welcome to episode 216 of the 5 minutes of Spanish! What's our topic?

 

Today we're going to have some fun with two very useful verbs in Spanish: devolver and envolver. Both also come from the verb volver, which means “to return” in English.

 

So, get ready, because today we're back to verbs derived from volver.

 

We start with devolver, which means “to return” or “to give back” in English. As you can imagine, it comes from volver with the prefix de-, which indicates returning something to its original state.

 

Tengo que devolver el libro a la biblioteca. / I have to return the book to the library.

 

This verb is very useful when we talk about returning things to their original place, whether it's a book, a purchase, or even a favor.

Le devolví el favor a mi amigo / I returned the favor to my friend.

 

En nuestras últimas vacaciones rentamos un carro y lo devolvimos en el aeropuerto, muy práctico. / On our last vacation, we rented a car and returned it at the airport. Very practical.

 

If you borrow something it is polite to return it. You should also return favors or phone calls.

 

Or an invitation, someone invites you to dinner, you then return the invitation.

 

Yes, I like to eat.

 

Not just to eat! It is a rule of politeness

 

At Unique trips we rent cars all over the world, so give us a call, you will get excellent service.

 

On the other hand, we have envolver, which means “to wrap” in English. It comes from en-, which indicates “inside” or “to cover”, and volver, which in this case suggests to wrap around something.

 

Voy a envolver el regalo para el cumpleaños. / I’m going to wrap the gift for the birthday.

 

This verb is used a lot at parties, when gifts are involved, but it can also be used figuratively, as when someone feels “wrapped” in a situation.

 

Me envolví en una discusión sin querer. / I got wrapped up in an argument unintentionally.

 

El actor estuvo envuelto en un gran escándalo. / The actor was involved in a major scandal.

 

In the kitchen you can eat some things wrapped in different leaves, such as corn leaves, hoja santa, banana leaves.

 

Peras envueltas en masa de hojaldre. / Pears wrapped in puff pastry.

 

Pescado empapelado en hoja santa. / Fish wrapped in saint leaf.

 

Empapelado equals envuelto

This is one of our favorite recipes in the cooking class,

 

Have you tried it? You can come to our classes or watch it in the videos on SpanishUP2U.

 

There is a recipe of Spanish origin that I used to eat in my childhood: “Niños envueltos” (wrapped children).

 

Wrapped children: it's a dish of meat wrapped with bacon or bacon, don't be scared.

 

We have other uses of wrapping that don't involve paper or leaves:

 

El volcán estaba envuelto en una nube de ceniza. / The volcano was covered in a cloud of ash.

 

El niño estaba envuelto en su cobija, listo para dormir. / The child was wrapped in his blanket, ready to sleep.

 

La casa estaba envuelta por la niebla al amanecer. / The house was surrounded by fog at dawn.

 

If you want to avoid getting into trouble for not mastering Spanish on your next trip to a Hispanic country, you know, send us a message and become a member of SpanishUp2U, in a few months you will improve your Spanish.

 

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In conclusion, devolver and envolver are not only useful verbs, but they also share the same root: volver. One takes you back to the origin, and the other wraps you up in something completely new. Keep practicing and you'll see how these verbs become a natural part of your vocabulary!

 

See you at the workshops or classes in Los Cabos or listen to us next Wednesday.

 

See you soon

 

Bye-bye.

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