When learning Portuguese, one of the common challenges for English speakers is understanding the nuances between similar verbs. Two such verbs that often cause confusion are voltar and retornar. Both mean “to return” or “to come back” in English, but their usage and connotations can differ depending on the context. In this article, we will delve into the subtleties of these two verbs to help you use them accurately and confidently.
Voltar is one of the most frequently used verbs in Portuguese when talking about returning to a place or a state. It is a regular verb, and its conjugation in the present tense is as follows: eu volto, tu voltas, ele/ela/você volta, nós voltamos, vós voltais, eles/elas/vocês voltam. Here are some examples to illustrate its usage:
1. Eu volto para casa todos os dias às seis horas. (I return home every day at six o’clock.)
2. Ela voltou do trabalho mais cedo ontem. (She came back from work earlier yesterday.)
3. Nós voltaremos para o Brasil no próximo ano. (We will return to Brazil next year.)
As you can see, voltar is versatile and can be used in various tenses to indicate the act of going back to a previous location or state. It is often used in everyday conversation and is considered more informal compared to retornar.
Retornar, on the other hand, is a more formal verb that also means “to return” or “to come back.” Its conjugation in the present tense is: eu retorno, tu retornas, ele/ela/você retorna, nós retornamos, vós retornais, eles/elas/vocês retornam. Here are some examples:
1. O presidente retornou ao país após a conferência. (The president returned to the country after the conference.)
2. Quando você retornará ao escritório? (When will you return to the office?)
3. Eles retornarão aos estudos depois das férias. (They will return to their studies after the holidays.)
While retornar can be used interchangeably with voltar in many cases, it is generally reserved for more formal contexts, such as official announcements, written communication, or when referring to significant events or actions.
One way to understand the difference is to think of voltar as the go-to verb for everyday situations and retornar as the choice for more formal or official contexts. For instance, if you are talking about returning home after work, voltar is the appropriate verb. However, if you are discussing a diplomat returning to their home country after a mission, retornar would be more fitting.
Another important aspect to consider is the collocations and expressions that each verb forms. Let’s look at some common expressions with voltar:
1. Voltar atrás – to go back (on a decision or statement)
– Ele voltou atrás na decisão de vender a casa. (He went back on his decision to sell the house.)
2. Voltar à carga – to insist or resume an activity
– Ela voltou à carga com as perguntas. (She resumed with the questions.)
3. Voltar a fazer algo – to do something again
– Vou voltar a estudar espanhol. (I will start studying Spanish again.)
And here are some expressions with retornar:
1. Retornar a ligação – to return a call
– Por favor, retorne a ligação assim que possível. (Please return the call as soon as possible.)
2. Retornar ao trabalho – to return to work
– Ele retornará ao trabalho na próxima semana. (He will return to work next week.)
3. Retornar à posição – to return to a position
– A empresa decidiu retornar o antigo gerente à posição. (The company decided to return the former manager to the position.)
Notice that while some expressions can use either verb, the choice of voltar or retornar can subtly change the tone of the sentence. Voltar gives a more casual feel, whereas retornar lends a more formal or serious tone.
In summary, understanding the difference between voltar and retornar is crucial for mastering Portuguese. While both verbs mean “to return” or “to come back,” voltar is more commonly used in informal, everyday contexts, and retornar is reserved for formal or official situations. Paying attention to the context and the collocations will help you choose the right verb and sound more natural in your conversations.
As with any language learning, practice is key. Try using both verbs in sentences related to your daily life and in more formal scenarios to get a feel for their nuances. Over time, you will become more comfortable with their usage and be able to switch between them effortlessly. Happy learning!