regresar
/rreh-greh-SAR/
to return
Regresar means to return or go back to a place, such as returning home after a day out.
regresar(Verb)
to return
?going back to a place
,to go back
?moving to a previous location
to come back
?returning to the speaker's location
📝 In Action
Regreso a casa a las cinco de la tarde.
A2I return home at five in the afternoon.
¿A qué hora regresan tus padres del viaje?
A2What time do your parents get back from the trip?
Tenemos que regresar al hotel antes de que llueva.
B1We have to go back to the hotel before it rains.
💡 Grammar Points
Regresar vs. Volver
For talking about returning to a place, 'regresar' and 'volver' mean the same thing and you can almost always use either one. 'Volver' is a bit more common in everyday chat in Spain, while 'regresar' is very popular in Latin America.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding 'back'
Mistake: "Necesito regresar atrás a la oficina."
Correction: Just say 'Necesito regresar a la oficina.' The verb 'regresar' already has the idea of 'back' built into it, so adding 'atrás' (back) sounds repetitive.
⭐ Usage Tips
For People and Things Moving
Use this meaning when a person, animal, or object is physically moving back to a location where it was before.
Regresar can also mean to return or give back an item, such as returning books to a library.
regresar(Verb)
to return
?giving an item back
,to give back
?returning something to its owner
to take back
?returning a purchased item to a store
📝 In Action
Voy a regresar este suéter a la tienda porque no me queda.
B1I'm going to return this sweater to the store because it doesn't fit me.
Por favor, regresa los libros a la biblioteca antes del viernes.
A2Please, return the books to the library before Friday.
Le regresé el dinero que me prestó ayer.
B1I gave him back the money he lent me yesterday.
💡 Grammar Points
Regresar vs. Devolver (for items)
When talking about returning an object, 'devolver' is often the more specific and common choice. Think of 'devolver' as the expert verb for this job, but 'regresar' also works and is widely understood.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'volver' for items
Mistake: "Tengo que volver el libro a la biblioteca."
Correction: Say 'Tengo que regresar el libro' or 'Tengo que devolver el libro'. 'Volver' is almost exclusively for people/things returning to a place, not for giving items back.
⭐ Usage Tips
Action on an Object
This meaning always involves giving an object back to a person or place. If you just say 'Yo regreso,' people will assume you are going back somewhere, not that you are returning an item.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: regresar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'regresar' to talk about GIVING SOMETHING BACK?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between 'regresar' and 'volver'?
When talking about returning to a place, they are almost identical and you can use them interchangeably. 'Volver' might be slightly more common in Spain. However, when you want to talk about returning an object (like a library book), 'regresar' works, but 'devolver' is the more specific and common verb for that action. You wouldn't use 'volver' for returning an object.
Is 'regresar' a regular verb?
Yes, it's a completely regular '-ar' verb. It follows all the standard conjugation patterns, which makes it a great verb to learn early on!