regañar
“regañar” means “to scold” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to scold
Also: to tell off, to reprimand
📝 In Action
Mi madre me regañó por llegar tarde.
A2My mother scolded me for arriving late.
La profesora regaña a los estudiantes que no hacen la tarea.
A2The teacher tells off the students who don't do their homework.
No me regañes, ya sé que cometí un error.
B1Don't scold me, I already know I made a mistake.
to growl/snarl
Also: to creak
📝 In Action
El perro empezó a regañar cuando vio al extraño.
B2The dog started to growl when he saw the stranger.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: regañar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence means 'My boss scolded me'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the older Spanish word 'gañir', which meant to howl or yelp like a dog. Over time, it evolved to describe the sound of human scolding.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'regañar' and 'reñir'?
They are very similar. 'Regañar' is the most common word for scolding someone (like a parent to a child). 'Reñir' can also mean scolding, but it often implies a mutual argument or a more formal fight between equals.
Can I use 'regañar' for my boss at work?
Yes, but it sounds a bit like the boss is a parent treating you like a child. For a more professional setting, you might hear 'reprender' or 'dar un toque'.
Does 'regañar' always need the letter 'a' after it?
If you are scolding a person or a pet, yes! This is called the 'personal a'. For example: 'Regaño a Juan'.