voltar a + Infinitive

Do Again

Level 4

The construction voltar a + infinitivo is the most common way to say 'again' in Portuguese. It functions as a verbal phrase that indicates repetition or the resumption of a habit.

How It Works

The pattern voltar a + infinitivo is an 'iterative aspectual periphrasis.' This means it changes the 'aspect' of the verb to show repetition.

1. Usage and Meaning:
It can mean doing something a second time (e.g., 'I read the book again') or restarting something after a break (e.g., 'I started exercising again'). It is much more common in spoken Portuguese than using the prefix re- (like reler for 'to re-read').

2. Conjugation:
The verb voltar is a regular -ar verb. You conjugate voltar to match the subject and the tense, while the main verb stays in the impersonal infinitive.

  • Present: Eu volto a estudar. (I study again.)
  • Preterite: Ele voltou a fumar. (He started smoking again.)

3. Pronunciation Note:
In forms where the 'o' is stressed (like volto or volta), it is pronounced with an 'open o' (/ɔ/), similar to the sound in 'door.'

4. Regional Differences:
In European Portuguese, the 1st person plural preterite is written as voltámos, whereas in Brazil it is voltamos. Additionally, clitic placement varies: a Portuguese speaker might say voltei a vê-lo, while a Brazilian might say voltei a ver ele (informal) or voltei a o ver.

Examples (5)

  1. Voltei a estudar depois de dez anos longe da escola.

    I started studying again after ten years away from school.

    Word by Word: I-returned to study after of ten years far from-the school.

    Here, 'voltei a' indicates the resumption of a long-term activity (studying).

  2. Se você voltar a chegar atrasado, teremos um problema.

    If you arrive late again, we will have a problem.

    Word by Word: If you return to arrive late, we-will-have a problem.

    In this conditional sentence, 'voltar a' emphasizes the repetition of a specific event (arriving late).

  3. A empresa voltou a investir no mercado brasileiro.

    The company invested in the Brazilian market again.

    Word by Word: The company returned to invest in-the market Brazilian.

    This shows a business action being repeated after a period of cessation.

  4. Não voltes a fazer isso!

    Don't do that again!

    Word by Word: Not return-you to do that!

    Using the imperative (European 'tu' form here) to tell someone not to repeat an action.

  5. Ela nunca voltou a falar com o ex-namorado.

    She never spoke to her ex-boyfriend again.

    Word by Word: She never returned to speak with the ex-boyfriend.

    Combined with 'nunca' (never), it indicates that the repetition of the action never occurred.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the mandatory preposition 'a'.

    Eu voltei estudar ontem.
    Eu voltei a estudar ontem.

    The preposition 'a' is strictly required between 'voltar' and the infinitive. Without it, the sentence is ungrammatical.

  • Using 'voltar para' to mean 'again'.

    Voltei para ler o livro.
    Voltei a ler o livro.

    'Voltar para' indicates a physical return to a destination. 'Voltar a' is the correct form for repeating an action.

  • Using 'repetir' with an infinitive verb.

    Eu repeti fazer o bolo.
    Eu voltei a fazer o bolo.

    The verb 'repetir' is used with nouns (e.g., 'repetir a pergunta'). To repeat an action (verb), you must use 'voltar a' or an adverb like 'de novo'.

Words in This Pattern

voltar