Devuelvo el libro verde a la biblioteca.

I return the green book to the library.

Breakdown of Devuelvo el libro verde a la biblioteca.

• el libro: the book
• yo: I
• verde: green
• la biblioteca: the library
• a: to
• devolver: to return

Questions & Answers about Devuelvo el libro verde a la biblioteca.

Why is devuelvo used here instead of another verb?

The verb devolver means “to return” something to its original owner or place. Here, you are returning (giving back) the libro verde to the library, hence the first-person present tense devuelvo (“I return”).

Why do we say el libro verde and not el verde libro?

In Spanish, adjectives commonly come after the noun. El libro verde is the standard word order for “the green book.” Placing the adjective before the noun can work stylistically but is less common and can change emphasis or tone.

Could I say lo devuelvo a la biblioteca?

Yes! Lo devuelvo a la biblioteca is a more succinct way of saying “I return it to the library,” where lo replaces el libro verde. You would use the direct object pronoun lo when the context already makes it clear you’re talking about “the green book.”

What tense is devuelvo and when is it used?

Devuelvo is the first-person singular (yo) form of the present indicative tense. In everyday speech, this tense generally expresses routine actions, current actions, or actions that are about to happen in the near future.

Is it common in Latin America to say devuelvo like this, or do people use other phrases?

Using devuelvo is very common and understood throughout Latin America. Some might use a different construction (like voy a regresar el libro), but devuelvo is standard and directly indicates the action of returning. It’s absolutely fine and typical to say Devuelvo el libro verde a la biblioteca.