How to Say "you return" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “you return” is “vuelves” — use this when you are talking to one person informally (tú) about them coming back to a place or returning from somewhere..
vuelves
bwel-bes/ˈbwelβes/
Examples
¿A qué hora vuelves del trabajo?
What time are you returning from work?
Si vuelves tarde, llámame, por favor.
If you come back late, call me, please.
Stem Change Reminder
In the present tense, the 'o' in the verb stem changes to 'ue' for all forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'. This is why we say 'vuelves' and not 'volves'.
Irregular Past Participle
The past participle is 'vuelto', not 'volvido'. This irregular form is used to create perfect tenses (like 'has vuelto' - you have returned).
regresas
/reh-GREH-sahs//reˈɡɾesas/
Examples
¿A qué hora regresas a casa?
What time are you coming back home?
Si regresas pronto, podemos cenar juntos.
If you return soon, we can have dinner together.
Siempre regresas al mismo parque.
You always go back to the same park.
Who are you talking to?
The 'as' ending at the end of the word tells us you are talking directly to one person you know well (like a friend or a sibling).
Present Tense Uses
You can use this word for something happening right now ('You are returning') or for something that happens habitually ('You always return late').
Coming vs. Going
Mistake: “Using 'regresas' to mean 'returning an object' like a library book in Spain.”
Correction: In Spain, use 'devuelves' for objects. In many parts of Latin America, 'regresas' is okay for objects, but 'devuelves' is always safer!
vuelven
/bwel-ben//ˈbwelβen/
Examples
Mis padres siempre vuelven tarde del trabajo.
My parents always return late from work.
¿A qué hora vuelven ustedes de la excursión?
What time are you (all) coming back from the trip?
Las golondrinas vuelven cada primavera.
The swallows return every spring.
The 'O to UE' Change
In the present tense, the 'o' in the middle of 'volver' changes to 'ue' (vuelven, vuelvo, vuelves, etc.), except for the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: “Using 'volven' instead of 'vuelven'.”
Correction: Remember 'volver' is like 'poder' (to be able to); it needs the 'ue' sound in most present forms: 'vuelven'.
regreses
reh-GREH-sehs/reˈɣɾeses/
Examples
Quiero que regreses a la oficina antes de las cinco.
I want you (tú) to return to the office before five.
Dudo que regreses tan pronto, el tráfico es terrible.
I doubt that you (tú) will come back so soon; the traffic is terrible.
No regreses sin haber comprado el pan.
Don't come back without having bought the bread.
Subjunctive Mood
'Regreses' is the special verb form (subjunctive) you use for 'tú' (you, informal singular) when you are expressing feelings, doubts, wishes, or influence about the action of returning.
Negative Commands
When you tell someone not to do something using 'tú' (e.g., 'Don't return'), you must use this form: 'No regreses.' The affirmative command is simply 'Regresa.'
Subjunctive vs. Indicative
Mistake: “Using the normal present form: 'Espero que tú regresas mañana.'”
Correction: You must use the special form: 'Espero que tú regreses mañana.' The 'que' often signals the need for the subjunctive.
Informal vs. Formal 'You'
Related Translations
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