regresar
/reɡɾeˈsaɾ/
To go or come back to a place where one was before is regresar in Spanish.
Regresar means to return or to come back. If you want to specify the destination you are returning to, use the preposition a after the verb, as in regresar a.
Which one should you use?
While regresar and volver both mean to return, volver is often more common in everyday spoken Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Central America and Mexico, devolverse is a common substitute for regresar. Note that volver can be used in both Spain and Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form of regresar is regresando (returning). If you want to say "I returned" in the past tense, use the first-person singular preterite form regresé.
How do you pronounce it?
/reɡɾeˈsaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word for 'return' changes depending on whether you are returning a physical item, returning to a place, or returning a favor, using devolver, regresar and corresponder respectively.
- The verb regresar is a cognate of the English word 'regress'. While 'regress' in English often implies moving backward or deteriorating, regresar simply means to return to a location.
- In certain contexts, regresar can imply a return to a previous state of being, not just a physical location.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría volver a mi país.I would like to return to my country.
- El invitado debe retornar a su lugar de origen.The guest must return to their place of origin.
- Nos regresamos temprano de la fiesta.We went back home early from the party.
- Me devolví a la tienda para comprar más comida.I went back to the store to buy more food.
- Voy a regresar mañana.I am going to return tomorrow.
- Tengo que regresar al trabajo ahora.I have to return to work now.
- ¿A qué hora vas a regresar?What time are you going to come back?
- Ella quiere regresar a su país.She wants to return to her country.
Example conversation
María and Javier are at a cafe discussing their plans.
- MaríaJavier, ¿a qué hora vas a regresar a casa?Javier, what time are you going to return home?
- JavierDebo regresar después de la cena.I must return after dinner.
- MaríaEstá bien, yo también debo regresar pronto.Okay, I must also return soon.
- JavierNos vemos luego, María.See you later, María.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry regresar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries regresar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
