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How to Say "will return" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “will return” is “volverá” — use 'volverá' when referring to the general act of returning or coming back, suitable for most everyday situations..

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volverá

vol-ve-RAH/bol.βeˈɾa/

VerbA1General
Use 'volverá' when referring to the general act of returning or coming back, suitable for most everyday situations.
A cheerful figure walking along a winding green path toward a small, welcoming house with a red roof in the distance, illustrating the concept of returning home.

Examples

Ella dijo que volverá a casa antes de la medianoche.

She said that she will return home before midnight.

Si no funciona, el cliente volverá a llamar mañana.

If it doesn't work, the client will call back tomorrow.

Usted me pagará y yo volveré con el cambio.

You will pay me and I will come back with the change. (Note: The first person is 'volveré', illustrating the family)

The Future of Return

‘Volverá’ is the future tense form, used to talk about things that are guaranteed or highly expected to happen later. It means 'will return' for one person or a formal 'you'.

Using 'Volver a' + Infinitive

When you put 'a' after 'volver,' it means 'to do something again.' Example: 'Volverá a llover' means 'It will rain again.' This is a super useful structure!

Confusing Return Verbs

Mistake: “Using 'retornará' when the natural choice is 'volverá.'”

Correction: While 'retornar' is correct, 'volver' is much more common and sounds more natural in everyday speech for 'to come back.'

regresará

reh-greh-sah-RAH/re.ɣɾe.saˈɾa/

VerbB1General
Use 'regresará' when specifically talking about returning from a trip, journey, or a specific location.
A brightly colored blue bird is mid-flight, heading straight for a red and yellow birdhouse perched on a wooden post.

Examples

Mi jefe regresará de su viaje la próxima semana.

My boss will return from his trip next week.

Si salimos ahora, el autobús regresará a las cinco en punto.

If we leave now, the bus will come back at five o'clock sharp.

Usted regresará a su país cuando termine el curso.

You (formal) will return to your country when the course finishes.

Identifying the Subject

This form, 'regresará,' is always used when the subject doing the returning is 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), or 'usted' (formal you). It always refers to one person.

Future Tense Structure

The simple future tense in Spanish is easy! You just take the whole base verb ('regresar') and add the special ending ('-á').

Confusing the Subject

Mistake: “Using 'regresará' when talking about 'tú' (you): 'Tú regresará mañana.'”

Correction: Use the correct 'tú' ending: 'Tú regresarás mañana.' Remember the ending must match the person.

General vs. Specific Return

Learners often confuse 'volverá' and 'regresará' by using the more specific 'regresará' in situations where the general 'volverá' is perfectly fine. Unless you are specifically emphasizing a return from a journey or trip, 'volverá' is usually the safer and more common choice.

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