Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Return in Spanish
Regresar · verb · reh-greh-SAHR
The English word 'return' splits into different Spanish verbs depending on meaning: 'regresar' or 'volver' for coming/going back to a place, and 'devolver' for returning an object. This distinction is crucial — using the wrong one changes the meaning entirely. The noun form can be 'retorno,' 'regreso,' or 'devolución' accordingly.
For 'regresar': reh-greh-SAHR. For 'volver': bohl-BEHR. For 'devolver': deh-bohl-BEHR. Each stressed on the final syllable.
Voy a regresar a casa antes de las diez de la noche.
I'm going to return home before ten at night.
Return in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for return, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| regresar | return | reh-greh-SAHR | Default, widely understood |
| volver | return | to come back | |
| devolver | return | to return an item | |
| retorno | return | noun form |
How Native Speakers Use Regresar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Coming back
¿A qué hora vuelves del trabajo hoy?
What time are you returning from work today?
Uses 'volver' for physically returning to a location, conjugated informally.
Returning a purchase
Quiero devolver estos zapatos porque me quedan grandes.
I want to return these shoes because they're too big for me.
Uses 'devolver' for returning a purchased item to a store.
Travel context
Nuestro vuelo de regreso sale a las seis de la mañana.
Our return flight leaves at six in the morning.
Shows the noun 'regreso' in 'vuelo de regreso' (return flight).
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Regresar
Using 'regresar' for returning items
Incorrect: Voy a regresar la camisa a la tienda.
Correct: Voy a devolver la camisa a la tienda.
While some regions accept 'regresar' for returning items, the standard and universally correct verb for giving something back is 'devolver.' 'Regresar' primarily means to go back to a place.
Confusing 'volver' with 'devolver'
Incorrect: Necesito volver este libro a la biblioteca.
Correct: Necesito devolver este libro a la biblioteca.
'Volver' means to return (yourself) to a place. 'Devolver' means to return (an object) to someone or somewhere. The 'de-' prefix changes the meaning entirely.
Lock in Return Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Regresar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using regresar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Voy a regresar a casa antes de las diez de la noche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Return in Spanish
- When do I use 'regresar' vs 'volver'?
- Both 'regresar' and 'volver' mean to return/come back to a place and are largely interchangeable — 'regresar' is slightly more common in Latin America while 'volver' is preferred in Spain, but either works anywhere in the Spanish-speaking world.
- How do I say 'return policy' in Spanish?
- A return policy is called 'política de devoluciones' (policy of returns), using the noun 'devolución' which specifically refers to the act of returning merchandise or getting a refund.
- What's the difference between 'regreso' and 'retorno'?
- Both are nouns meaning 'return,' but 'regreso' is more common in everyday speech ('viaje de regreso' = return trip), while 'retorno' sounds more formal or literary and is used in technical contexts like 'retorno de inversión' (return on investment).