regular
/rreh-goo-LAHR/
regular
When something follows a standard schedule or pattern, it is regular.
regular(adjective)
regular
?standard occurrence or schedule
,normal
?typical or usual
routine
?habitual
,standard
?conforming to a rule
📝 In Action
Mi horario de trabajo es regular, de 9 a 5.
A1My work schedule is regular, from 9 to 5.
Ella toma el autobús regular todos los días.
A2She takes the regular bus every day.
Las clases tienen una duración regular de 50 minutos.
B1The classes have a standard duration of 50 minutes.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Form
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'regular' stays the same whether the noun is masculine (el horario regular) or feminine (la clase regular).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Regular' with 'Good'
Mistake: "¿Cómo estás? Estoy regular."
Correction: This is technically correct but usually means 'so-so' (see next definition). For 'I'm fine/good,' use 'bien' or 'estoy normal.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Schedule Talk
Use 'regular' when discussing routines, schedules, or typical frequencies, similar to the English 'regular schedule' or 'regular maintenance'.
If the quality is just average, or the feeling is neutral, it is regular or 'so-so.'
regular(adjective)
so-so
?quality or feeling
,average
?in terms of quality
mediocre
?low quality
📝 In Action
—¿Te gustó la película? —Estuvo regular.
A2—Did you like the movie? —It was so-so/average.
Mi nota en el examen fue regular, no suspendí pero tampoco saqué un diez.
B1My grade on the exam was average; I didn't fail, but I didn't get a ten either.
La comida era bastante regular, no volvería a ese restaurante.
B2The food was quite mediocre/average; I wouldn't go back to that restaurant.
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing Feeling
When asked how you feel ('¿Cómo estás?'), answering 'Estoy regular' means you are feeling just okay or maybe slightly unwell, but not terrible.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone Matters
Use 'regular' with a neutral or slightly disappointed tone when describing quality, as it implies it could have been better.
The verb form of regular means to regulate or control something by rule or system.
regular(verb)
to regulate
?to control by rule
,to adjust
?to fine-tune a mechanism
to control
?to manage
,to govern
?legal context
📝 In Action
El gobierno necesita regular mejor el tráfico en la ciudad.
B1The government needs to better regulate traffic in the city.
Tienes que regular la temperatura del horno antes de cocinar.
B1You have to adjust the oven temperature before cooking.
La ley regula los derechos de los consumidores.
C1The law governs consumer rights.
💡 Grammar Points
Regular Verb Pattern
'Regular' is a perfectly normal '-ar' verb. Once you know the pattern for verbs like 'hablar' or 'cantar', you can easily conjugate 'regular'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Technical Use
This verb is often used in contexts dealing with machinery, government rules, or biological processes (e.g., 'El cuerpo regula la temperatura' - The body regulates temperature).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
preterite
present
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: regular
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'regular' to mean 'so-so' or 'average'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'regular' masculine or feminine?
When used as an adjective (meaning 'normal' or 'so-so'), 'regular' is invariable. It doesn't change based on the gender of the noun. (e.g., 'un día regular,' 'una película regular').
If I want to say something is 'really good,' should I use 'muy regular'?
No. Because 'regular' often means 'average' or 'mediocre' in Spanish, saying 'muy regular' usually means 'very mediocre' or 'very average.' Use words like 'muy bueno' (very good) or 'excelente' instead.