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• Locução prepositiva que indica retorno a um lugar, estado, tempo, assunto ou condição anterior; usada para marcar restauração, repetição ou o ato de voltar a atenção para algo.

A phrasal preposition indicating return or movement towards a previous place, state, time, topic, or condition; used to express restoration, repetition, or refocusing on something that existed or occurred earlier.

1. Return to a previous locationA2formal

   Used to indicate movement towards a place where someone or something was before, emphasizing the direction of return rather than the journey itself.

   De volta a, de volta para

   • She went back to her hometown after university.
   • He walked back to the car to get his keys.
   • We're flying back to London tomorrow.
   • The cat ran back to the house.

2. Return to a previous state or conditionB1formal

   Indicates restoration or reversion to an earlier physical, emotional, or situational state that existed before a change occurred.

   De volta ao estado anterior

   • After the break, we went back to work.
   • The weather is back to normal after the storm.
   • She's finally back to her old self.
   • The system is back to full operation.

3. Return to a previous time or periodB1formal

   Used to refer mentally or narratively to an earlier point in time, often for comparison, reflection, or continuation of a past event.

   Volta ao passado, a um tempo anterior

   • Let's go back to last year when we first met.
   • This tradition dates back to the 18th century.
   • Think back to your childhood memories.
   • The story goes back to ancient times.

4. Return to a topic or subject in discussionB2formal

   Used to redirect attention or conversation to a point, theme, or issue that was previously mentioned but temporarily set aside.

   Voltando ao assunto

   • Let's get back to the main point of the meeting.
   • Going back to what you said earlier...
   • We should return back to the original question.
   • But back to my initial argument...

5. Reverting to a previous method, habit, or behaviorB2formal

   Indicates resumption of an earlier practice, routine, or way of doing something after a period of change or interruption.

   Voltar a, retomar um hábito

   • After the diet, he went back to eating junk food.
   • She's back to smoking after quitting for a year.
   • The company is back to using the old software.
   • They went back to traditional teaching methods.

6. Restoration of possession or responsibilityB1formal

   Used to indicate that something is returned to its original owner, controller, or the person responsible for it.

   Devolver a alguém, de volta ao dono

   • Please give the book back to the library.
   • The decision is back to the manager now.
   • He handed the keys back to his friend.
   • The ball is back to the goalkeeper.