How to respond in Portuguese when someone asks when you will return it

Introduction

Knowing how to respond in Portuguese when someone asks when you will return something is a practical skill for everyday life. This article explains useful Brazilian Portuguese phrases, vocabulary, polite replies, and short dialogues so beginners can handle real situations at home, work, stores, or with friends.

Why this topic matters

People often lend and borrow items: books, keys, tools, money, or chargers. Being able to understand the question and give a clear, polite answer avoids misunderstandings. We focus on the common Brazilian Portuguese question and several natural ways to reply, from precise dates to vague but acceptable answers.

Key phrase to recognize

The most common way to ask when you will return something in Brazilian Portuguese is Quando você vai devolver?

Breakdown in English:

Quando = When

você = you (formal/informal in Brazil people often use você)

vai = will / are going to

devolver = return (an item)

Other common questions you might hear

Quando você vai me devolver? — When will you give it back to me?

Quando você vai trazer de volta? — When will you bring it back?

Você pode me devolver quando? — When can you return it to me?

Quando eu recebo de volta? — When do I get it back?

Basic vocabulary for this topic

devolver — to return

de volta — back

emprestar — to lend

pegar emprestado — to borrow

prazo — deadline / time limit

hoje — today

amanhã — tomorrow

ontem — yesterday

semana que vem — next week

próxima semana — next week

na próxima segunda-feira — next Monday

semana passada — last week

Simple reply patterns

When replying, you can be specific, approximate, or use a polite delay. Here are patterns with translations.

Specific date or time

Vou devolver na segunda-feira. — I will return it on Monday.

Devolvo amanhã. — I will return it tomorrow.

Posso devolver até sexta-feira. — I can return it by Friday.

Approximate answers

Devo devolver em alguns dias. — I should return it in a few days.

Acho que semana que vem. — I think next week.

Daqui a uma semana. — In about a week.

Polite or conditional replies

Posso devolver depois do almoço. — I can return it after lunch.

Se você quiser, devolvo amanhã. — If you want, I will return it tomorrow.

Vou tentar devolver o mais rápido possível. — I will try to return it as soon as possible.

Short dialogues for beginners

Example 1 — Friend asking about a book

— Quando você vai devolver o meu livro?
— Devolvo no sábado.

Example 2 — Coworker asking about a charger

— Você pode me devolver o carregador?
— Claro. Posso trazer hoje à tarde.

Example 3 — Neighbor asking about a tool

— Quando eu recebo a furadeira de volta?
— Daqui a dois dias, pode ser?
— Perfeito, obrigado.

Politeness and tone

Brazilian Portuguese speakers often use softeners to sound polite. Adding por favor, obrigado/obrigada, or posso helps. Use obrigado if you are male, obrigada if you are female.

Polite replies examples

Posso devolver até amanhã, por favor? — Can I return it by tomorrow, please?

Obrigado, eu devolvo na próxima semana. — Thanks, I will return it next week.

Desculpe, demora um pouco. Te devolvo ainda hoje. — Sorry, it will take a bit. I will give it back today.

Asking for more time

If you cannot return the item by the requested time, be honest and offer an alternative. Use desculpe and a clear new time.

Common phrases

Desculpe, não consigo devolver hoje. — Sorry, I can’t return it today.

Posso devolver até terça-feira? — Can I return it by Tuesday?

Me dá mais um dia, por favor? — Can you give me one more day, please?

Confirming or repeating the agreement

After you agree on when to return something, confirm the time so both people understand.

Examples

Então combinado: devolvo na terça às 15h. — So it’s agreed: I return it on Tuesday at 3 pm.

Perfeito, até domingo então. — Perfect, see you Sunday then.

Fechado. Obrigado. — Agreed. Thanks.

Common mistakes beginners make

Confusing devolver and devolver-se — Only use devolver for giving something back. Do not add reflexive pronouns unless the object is returning by itself.

Using que instead of quando — Question words matter: use quando for time, que for what.

Mixing European and Brazilian vocabulary — This article uses Brazilian Portuguese; avoid Portugal-specific forms when speaking in Brazil.

Helpful tips for beginners

Listen for quando and devolver — these two words will tell you the question relates to return time.

Give a clear short answer — say a day, amanhã, or daqui a dois dias, rather than long explanations.

Use polite words — por favor, desculpe, obrigado/obrigada help maintain good manners.

Practice short dialogues out loud — practice the simple exchanges provided to build confidence.

Practical real-life examples

At a cafe: Someone borrows a magazine

— Quando você vai devolver a revista?
— Devolvo amanhã quando voltar ao trabalho.

At home: Borrowing a charger from a roommate

— Quando eu recebo meu carregador de volta?
— Te devolvo mais tarde, quando eu chegar.

At a store: Returning an item you borrowed from a colleague

— Você pode me devolver a tesoura hoje?
— Sim, trago ainda hoje durante o expediente.

Short guide to time expressions

Use these to make your answer precise

hoje — today

esta tarde — this afternoon

amanhã de manhã — tomorrow morning

amanhã à tarde — tomorrow afternoon

daqui a dois dias — in two days

na próxima semana — next week

What to do if you forget to return

Apologize quickly and give a new clear time. People appreciate prompt, honest communication.

Example

Desculpe, esqueci. Posso devolver amanhã de manhã? — Sorry, I forgot. Can I return it tomorrow morning?

Short role-play to practice

Role A: You borrowed a cookbook.

Role B: Owner asks when you will return.

— Quando você vai devolver meu livro de receitas?
— Devolvo no fim de semana. Domingo à tarde.

Conclusion

Learning how to respond to questions about returning items in Brazilian Portuguese makes daily interactions smoother. Focus on recognizing Quando você vai devolver?, using clear time expressions like amanhã or na próxima semana, and applying polite words such as por favor and desculpe. With the short dialogues and phrases here, beginners can confidently handle lending and borrowing situations.