Inklingo

How to Say "come back" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “come back” is “regresado” — use this form as part of a compound verb tense (like the present perfect) to indicate that someone or something has returned..

regresado🔊A2

Use this form as part of a compound verb tense (like the present perfect) to indicate that someone or something has returned.

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vuelva🔊A2

Use this form as a polite command or request directed at a single person you address formally (usted).

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vuelvan🔊A2

Use this form to issue a command or make a request to multiple people you address formally (ustedes), or when referring to them in the third person.

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regresen🔊B1

Use this form as a command or request directed at multiple people you address formally (ustedes), or when referring to them in the third person, often indicating a return to a specific place.

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volved🔊B1

Use this informal command form when telling a group of people you know well (vosotros) to come back.

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English → Spanish

regresado

/reh-greh-SAH-doh//re.ɣɾeˈsa.ðo/

Past ParticipleA2General
Use this form as part of a compound verb tense (like the present perfect) to indicate that someone or something has returned.
A small, colorful bird completing its journey, settling gently into a cozy nest built on a tree branch, representing the action of having returned.

Examples

Mi hermano ha regresado de su viaje a Japón.

My brother has returned from his trip to Japan.

¿Habías regresado ya cuando te llamé anoche?

Had you already come back when I called you last night?

Lamentablemente, la carta nunca había regresado a su remitente.

Unfortunately, the letter had never returned to its sender.

Forming Perfect Tenses

Use this form with the helping verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past. Example: 'He regresado' (I have returned).

It Stays the Same

Unlike when used as an adjective, the past participle used with 'haber' never changes its ending ('-o') to match the person or thing doing the returning.

Using 'Estar' instead of 'Haber'

Mistake: “Yo estoy regresado.”

Correction: Yo he regresado. 'Estar' is used for location or temporary state; 'haber' is the correct helping verb for completed actions.

vuelva

/bwel-bah//ˈbwelba/

VerbA2Formal
Use this form as a polite command or request directed at a single person you address formally (usted).
A friendly person standing in a doorway, making a gentle, inviting hand gesture toward another figure walking away on a path, indicating they should return.

Examples

Por favor, vuelva mañana a las diez.

Please, come back tomorrow at ten.

Si no funciona, vuelva a empezar desde el principio.

If it doesn't work, start over again from the beginning.

No vuelva a llamarme a este número.

Don't call me at this number again.

Polite Commands (Usted)

Vuelva is how you tell one person to 'come back' in a formal or polite way (when you would call them 'usted'). For example, a receptionist might say, 'Vuelva mañana, por favor.'

Formal vs. Informal

Mistake: “Using `vuelve` when speaking to a stranger or in a formal setting.”

Correction: Use `vuelva` for 'usted' (formal you) and `vuelve` for 'tú' (informal you). `Vuelva` shows more respect.

vuelvan

/bwel-bán//ˈbwelβan/

VerbA2Formal
Use this form to issue a command or make a request to multiple people you address formally (ustedes), or when referring to them in the third person.
A colorful storybook illustration showing two small silhouettes walking along a gentle path towards a distant, brightly lit, welcoming house, symbolizing a return.

Examples

Espero que vuelvan para la cena.

I hope they return for dinner.

¡Vuelvan a sus asientos inmediatamente!

Return to your seats immediately!

El jefe pidió que vuelvan a revisar el informe.

The boss asked them to review the report again.

Subjunctive vs. Indicative

You use 'vuelvan' (special form) when expressing doubt, desire, or emotion about their return: 'Dudo que vuelvan.' You use 'vuelven' (normal form) only for facts: 'Ellos vuelven hoy.'

Formal Command

'Vuelvan' is also the polite command form for addressing a group ('ustedes'): 'Vuelvan aquí, señores.' (Come back here, gentlemen.)

Confusing forms

Mistake: “No creo que ellos vuelven.”

Correction: No creo que ellos vuelvan. (The doubt word 'creer' requires the special verb form 'vuelvan'.)

regresen

/reh-GREH-sehn//reˈɣɾesen/

VerbB1Formal
Use this form as a command or request directed at multiple people you address formally (ustedes), or when referring to them in the third person, often indicating a return to a specific place.
Three small, brightly colored birds are flying directly toward a large, cozy birdhouse mounted on a pole, illustrating the concept of returning.

Examples

¡Señores, regresen a sus asientos inmediatamente!

Gentlemen, return to your seats immediately!

Esperamos que los estudiantes regresen al campus la próxima semana.

We hope that the students return to campus next week.

No creo que ellas regresen antes de las diez.

I don't think that they (fem.) will come back before ten.

Formal Group Command

"Regresen" is the formal way to give an order to a group of people (ustedes). It means 'You all, return!'

Expressing Wishes and Doubt

This form is also used after verbs like 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'dudo que' (I doubt that) when talking about 'they' or 'you all' returning.

Confusing Formal and Informal Commands

Mistake: “Saying *¡Regresan!* when giving a formal command to a group.”

Correction: The command form is *¡Regresen!* (using the special verb ending), not the regular present tense form *regresan*.

volved

/bohl-BED//bolˈβeð/

VerbB1Informal
Use this informal command form when telling a group of people you know well (vosotros) to come back.
A group of happy travelers turning around and walking back towards a cozy wooden cottage.

Examples

¡Volved pronto a casa!

Come back home soon!

Chicos, volved a leer el primer capítulo.

Guys, read the first chapter again.

Por favor, volved aquí cuando terminéis.

Please, come back here when you finish.

The plural command in Spain

To give a friendly command to a group in Spain, take the 'r' off the end of the verb (volver) and add a 'd' (volved). It's that simple!

No stem changes here

While the verb 'volver' often changes the 'o' to 'ue' (like in 'vuelvo'), this specific 'd' form never makes that change. Keep the 'o'!

Using the 'r' instead of 'd'

Mistake: “Saying 'volver pronto' to mean 'come back soon'.”

Correction: Use 'volved pronto'. In casual speech, some people say 'volver', but 'volved' is the correct form for commands.

Formal vs. Informal Commands

The most common mistake is using the informal 'volved' when speaking to someone you should address formally, or vice-versa. Always consider your relationship with the person or people you are speaking to and whether you are using 'usted(es)' (formal) or 'vosotros' (informal).

Related Translations

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