Inklingo

How to Say "coming back" in Spanish

English → Spanish

regresando

/reh-greh-SAHN-doh//re.ɣɾe.ˈsan.do/

verbA1general
Use 'regresando' when you want to describe the ongoing action of moving back towards the speaker's location or a point of origin.
A small bird flying back to its cozy nest in a green tree.

Examples

Estoy regresando a casa ahora mismo.

I am returning home right now.

Seguimos regresando al mismo restaurante porque es delicioso.

We keep coming back to the same restaurant because it is delicious.

Te vi regresando del parque esta mañana.

I saw you coming back from the park this morning.

The '-ando' Ending

This word is a 'gerund,' which is the Spanish version of the English '-ing' form. You create it by taking the verb 'regresar' and swapping the '-ar' for '-ando'.

Pairing with 'Estar'

To say you ARE doing something right now, pair this word with the verb 'estar' (e.g., 'Estoy regresando' means 'I am returning').

Using it as a Noun

Mistake: “Using 'regresando' to mean 'the act of returning' as a subject.”

Correction: In Spanish, if you want to use a verb as a noun (like 'Returning is hard'), use the base form 'Regresar' instead: 'Regresar es difícil'.

retorno

/reh-TOR-no//reˈtoɾno/

nounA2general
Use 'retorno' when referring to the act or event of returning, especially after a trip or absence, as a concept or a noun.
A traveler with a backpack walking through a front door into a cozy house.

Examples

Deseamos que tengas un feliz retorno a casa.

We wish you a happy return home.

El retorno del rey fue un evento histórico.

The return of the king was a historic event.

Always Masculine

Even if a woman is returning, you always use 'el retorno'. The word itself is masculine and doesn't change based on the person.

Return vs. Refund

Mistake: “Using 'retorno' when returning a shirt to a store.”

Correction: Use 'devolución' for returning items. Use 'retorno' for people or investments coming back.

Verb vs. Noun Confusion

Learners often confuse 'regresando' (the present participle of the verb 'regresar') with 'retorno' (a noun). Remember that 'regresando' describes the action in progress, while 'retorno' refers to the event or concept of the return itself.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.