Inklingo

How to Say "return" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “return” is “vuelva” — use this when giving a polite command or making a request to one person (usted) to return..

vuelva🔊A2

Use this when giving a polite command or making a request to one person (usted) to return.

{ui.learnMore}
vuelvan🔊A2

Use this to give a command or express a wish for a group of people (ustedes) or for them (ellos/ellas) to return.

{ui.learnMore}
regresen🔊B1

Use this as a command or wish directed at a group of people (vosotros/ustedes) to return.

{ui.learnMore}
volvéd🔊B1

Use this when commanding a group of people you know well (vosotros) to come or go back.

{ui.learnMore}
regreso🔊A2

Use this noun to refer to the act or event of coming or going back.

{ui.learnMore}
retorno🔊A2

Use this noun to specifically refer to the act of coming back to a particular place.

{ui.learnMore}
vuelta🔊B1

Use this noun when talking about the journey back, often in the context of a round trip.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

vuelva

/bwel-bah//ˈbwelba/

verbA2formal
Use this when giving a polite command or making a request to one person (usted) to return.
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/

verbA2
Use this to give a command or express a wish for a group of people (ustedes) or for them (ellos/ellas) to return.
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/

verbB1
Use this as a command or wish directed at a group of people (vosotros/ustedes) to return.
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*.

volvéd

/bohl-BED//bolˈβeð/

verbB1informal
Use this when commanding a group of people you know well (vosotros) to come or go 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.

regreso

/rreh-GREH-soh//reˈɡɾeso/

nounA2
Use this noun to refer to the act or event of coming or going back.
A small child is walking along a path directly toward a brightly colored house, symbolizing the act of returning home.

Examples

El regreso a casa fue muy tranquilo.

The return home was very calm.

Estamos esperando el regreso del director.

We are waiting for the director's return.

Su regreso al equipo fue una gran noticia para los aficionados.

His comeback to the team was great news for the fans.

A Noun: The Thing or Idea

When you see 'regreso' with words like 'el', 'un', or 'mi' in front of it, it's a noun. It's talking about the idea of a return, not the action itself. For example, 'El regreso' means 'The return'.

Mixing up 'Regreso' and 'Vuelta'

Mistake: “Using 'regreso' when 'vuelta' is more natural, like for a quick trip.”

Correction: Both mean 'return', but 'vuelta' is common for short trips ('doy una vuelta' - I'll take a walk around). 'Regreso' strongly implies coming back to where you started from.

retorno

/reh-TOR-no//reˈtoɾno/

nounA2
Use this noun to specifically refer to the act of coming back to a particular place.
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.

vuelta

/bwel-ta//ˈbwelta/

nounB1
Use this noun when talking about the journey back, often in the context of a round trip.
A winding road leading towards a small, cozy house at sunset, symbolizing a traveler's return.

Examples

Prefiero comprar un billete de ida y vuelta.

I prefer to buy a round-trip ticket.

La vuelta a casa fue más tranquila.

The return home was calmer.

Te llamo a la vuelta de mis vacaciones.

I'll call you on my return from vacation.

Verb vs. Noun Confusion

Learners often confuse the verb forms (like 'vuelva', 'vuelvan', 'regresen') with the noun forms ('regreso', 'retorno', 'vuelta'). Remember that verbs express an action or command, while nouns refer to the act or event itself.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.