возвращать vs возвращаться
vozvrashchat' vs vozvrashchat'sya — return something vs return/come back
Register: neutral
What it really means
Возвращать is transitive: return, give back, or bring back an object or person: возвращать книгу в библиотеку. Возвращаться is reflexive/intransitive: return oneself, come back, or return to a subject: возвращаться домой, к вопросу. The -ся form changes who undergoes the return.
Both are imperfective; вернуть and вернуться often mark one completed return.
Examples in natural speech
Я возвращаю книгу завтра.
I am returning the book tomorrow.
Магазин не возвращает деньги.
The shop does not refund money.
Мы возвращаемся домой поздно.
We return home late.
Она часто возвращается к этой мысли.
She often returns to this thought.
Когда ты вернёшься?
When will you come back?
Common mistakes
Возвращать домой someone or something is transitive; возвращаться домой is what the traveller does. Do not use возвращать without an object for “come back.”
Memory tip
Возвращать sends something back; возвращаться brings oneself back.
Frequently asked questions
How do I say return a book?
Вернуть/возвращать книгу.
How do I say come back home?
Вернуться/возвращаться домой.
What does возвращаться к вопросу mean?
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