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devolve and Spanish devolver
In English
devolve
to delegate / transfer power
In Spanish
devolver
regresar algo
Spanish "devolver" means: to return / give back
Why they get mixed up Spanish "devolver" means to return something to where it came from or to whoever gave it. English "devolve" means to transfer power or responsibility to a lower-ranking entity. It doesn't mean returning objects.
If you want to say...
- devolvetransferir o delegar
- returndevolver
- devolutiondescentralización
Examples
Power was devolved to local councils.
El poder se transfirió a los consejos locales.
Duties devolved to the deputy.
Las funciones se delegaron al suplente.
Scotland has some devolved powers.
Escocia tiene algunos poderes transferidos.
The task devolved to me when my boss left.
La tarea recayó en mí cuando se fue mi jefe.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Devolví la tarea a mi compañero, ahora es su responsabilidad.
Correct: Delegué la tarea en mi compañero, ahora es su responsabilidad.
Devolver means to give back. To delegate, use delegar.
Incorrect: Escocia tiene poderes devueltos.
Correct: Escocia tiene poderes transferidos.
Use transferidos for devolved powers.
Phrases you will hear
- devolve powertransferir poder
- a devolved governmentun gobierno con poderes transferidos
- devolve to a lower leveldelegar a un nivel inferior
- devolutiondescentralización
- the duty devolved on herel deber recayó en ella
- give backdevolver
In a conversation
- A:
Scotland has devolved powers.
Escocia tiene poderes transferidos.
- B:
What does devolve mean?
¿Qué significa devolve?
- A:
It means the government passes power to a lower level.
Significa que el gobierno pasa poder a un nivel inferior.
- B:
In Spanish, I would say transferir, not devolver.
En español diría transferir, no devolver.
Test yourself
"Power devolved to the regions" means power was...
To remember it
Devolve = to delegate/transfer power. To return something (Spanish "devolver") = return/give back.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "devolver" mean?
Spanish "devolver" means "to return / give back". It looks like the English "devolve", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "devolve" means "to delegate / transfer power".
Does English "devolve" mean the same as Spanish "devolver"?
Spanish "devolver" means to return something to where it came from or to whoever gave it. English "devolve" means to transfer power or responsibility to a lower-ranking entity. It doesn't mean returning objects.