Spanish word

regresar

Pronunciation

IPA/reɣɾeˈsaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbcome back, return

Example

Voy a regresar pronto.

I'm going to come back soon.

Illustration for regresar (come back)

More examples

Ella va a regresar al trabajo mañana.

She is going to return to work tomorrow.

Core concept

Coming back to a previous location or condition.

Common phrases

  • regresar a casa

    return home

  • regresar al trabajo

    return to work

  • regresar pronto

    come back soon

Similar words

volver: Comes back to an original place after being away, implying movement from a distant location.
devolver: Gives back an object to its original owner or to its original location.

Definition in Spanish

Volver a un lugar o a un estado anterior; retornar al punto de origen o recuperar una situación previa.

Word origin

Borrowed into Spanish from Latin regressare, itself from regredī (re- + gradior 'step'), so the root literally means 'step back'.

Usage tips

  • Regresar commonly pairs with a to mark where or when someone returns (regresar a la normalidad, regresar a casa), while resuming an activity is usually expressed with volver a or retomar.

Opposites

  • irseleaveverb
  • quedarsestayverb

Related words

  • regresoreturnnoun
  • regresadoreturnedadjective

Word lists with this word