Signification
To call back someone who previously called you.
Contexte culturel
In Spain, it's common to answer the phone with '¿Diga?' or '¿Dígame?'. If you are returning a call, you might start with 'Hola, soy [Nombre], te devuelvo la llamada'. Mexicans often use 'regresar la llamada' as much as 'devolver la llamada'. They also answer with '¿Bueno?'. In Argentina, phone calls are often very informal among friends. You might hear 'Te devuelvo el llamado' (masculine) instead of 'la llamada'. Colombians are known for being very polite on the phone, often using 'Usted' even with friends. They answer with '¿Aló?'.
Use Pronouns
Always try to include 'le' or 'te' before the verb. It sounds much more natural to native speakers.
Avoid 'Atrás'
Never say 'llamar atrás'. It is the most obvious sign of a non-native speaker translating from English.
Signification
To call back someone who previously called you.
Use Pronouns
Always try to include 'le' or 'te' before the verb. It sounds much more natural to native speakers.
Avoid 'Atrás'
Never say 'llamar atrás'. It is the most obvious sign of a non-native speaker translating from English.
The 'o-ue' Rule
If you forget the conjugation of 'devolver', remember it follows the same pattern as 'volver' or 'poder'.
Business Etiquette
In a professional email, use 'Quedo a la espera de que me devuelva la llamada' to sound very polished.
Teste-toi
Conjugate the verb 'devolver' in the present tense.
Yo no puedo hablar ahora, te _______ la llamada en una hora.
In the present tense, 'devolver' is a stem-changing verb (o -> ue).
Choose the most natural way to say 'I will call him back'.
¿Cómo se dice 'I will call him back'?
'Le' is the indirect object pronoun for 'him', and 'devolver la llamada' is the standard phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Juan: '¿Hablaste con María?' Pedro: 'No, ella no estaba. Pero me dijo su hermano que me _________.'
The conditional 'devolvería' fits the reported speech context.
Match the phrase to the correct level of formality.
Match 'Le ruego que me devuelva la llamada' with its formality level.
'Le ruego' (I beg/request of you) is a highly formal construction.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesYo no puedo hablar ahora, te _______ la llamada en una hora.
In the present tense, 'devolver' is a stem-changing verb (o -> ue).
¿Cómo se dice 'I will call him back'?
'Le' is the indirect object pronoun for 'him', and 'devolver la llamada' is the standard phrase.
Juan: '¿Hablaste con María?' Pedro: 'No, ella no estaba. Pero me dijo su hermano que me _________.'
The conditional 'devolvería' fits the reported speech context.
Match 'Le ruego que me devuelva la llamada' with its formality level.
'Le ruego' (I beg/request of you) is a highly formal construction.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend. The formality comes from the pronouns (usted vs tú) you use with it.
Yes, but it is less common than 'devolver' or 'regresar'. It sounds a bit more like a literal translation or very formal business speak.
'Devolver' is a response to someone else's call. 'Volver a llamar' is just repeating the action of calling, regardless of who started it.
You can say 'Te regreso la llamada' or 'Te devuelvo la llamada'. Both are perfectly natural there.
Yes, 'devolver llamada' without 'la' sounds like 'return call' in English—broken and incorrect.
Expressions liées
Volver a llamar
similarTo call again.
Colgar el teléfono
contrastTo hang up the phone.
Pasar con
builds onTo put someone through to another person.
Llamada perdida
similarMissed call.
