Regresar/Volver

[caliber1]

So this is kind of a two part question on these two words.

My understanding through some random Spanish lessons and through some people is that the correct verb for return is "volver", but I honestly don't think I have heard anyone at work use it; they always use regresar. I work primarily with Mexicans so is this more commonly used in Mexico? Also, those lessons I mentioned are always taught by someone from Spain so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Secondly, I can recall specific instances when someone used "regresar" for returning something. The one that comes to mind is I asked my buddy what he did the previous night and he said, ". . . y regresé una camisa a la tienda." Now, if I want to say I will return do I need to specify that I am going to be what is returning ? If I say "(Yo) Voy a regresar" will the person I am talking to look at me dumbfounded waiting for me to say what I am going to return? I hope this makes sense. I may be over thinking it. (Yo) Me voy a regresar". Would that be correct?

I am very curious because this has been bugging me all day. Also, how would I say "I'll be right back"? "Estaré de vuelta.?????

Thanks everyone.

[aleCcowaN]

To me regresar used as volver is OK, but it looks more formal -like replacing start or begin by commence-. That thing of "regresar una camisa" sounds totally Northern Hemisphere (but Spain) to me. Pronominal use of regresar too ("se regresó a su pueblo"; "me regreso") and dissonant, as "regresar" is formal to me.

In my neck of the woods:

volver ---> volver a casa
ir de vuelta (colloquial for "regresar" -move back-) ---> se fue de vuelta a su pueblo
devolver, retornar ---> devolver una camisa

[Rusty]

Use volver a or regresar a to say 'return to (a place or something).

To return something, or give something back, devolver is more commonly used. However, regresar (without the preposition 'a') also works, but not everywhere.

Ya vuelvo. Ahora mismo vuelvo. = I'll be right back. (The present tense is used to express the immediate/near future.) "Ya vuelvo" is more popular than "Ya regreso," but not by much. "Ahora mismo vuelvo" is much more popular than "Ahora mismo regreso."

You can use "estaré de vuelta," but no one will understand that you're coming right back. The future tense conveys 'not anytime soon'.

[aleCcowaN]

Yes, "estaré de vuelta" is a prediction ("a las tres de la tarde estaré de vuelta") or a non standard way to say "I'll be back, eventually" in a 'Schwarzenegguesque' way.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I agree with explanations given. I'll add just some use examples:

·El vestido no me quedó y voy a regresarlo/devolverlo (a la tienda).
The dress didn't fit me and I'm going to take it back to the store.

·Por favor regrésame/devuélveme los discos que te presté.
Please give me back the records I lent to you.

·La señora López por fin regresó/devolvió todos los libros que tenía de la biblioteca.
Mrs. Lopez finally brought back the library books she had.

·Me gustaría regresar/volver a esta ciudad.
I would like to come back to this city.

·¡Vete de mi casa y no regreses/vuelvas nunca!
Get out of my house and don't ever come back!

·Me sentí mal en la oficina y (me)* tuve que regresar / tuve que volver a la casa.
I felt sick at the office and I had to come back home.

*The pronominal here adds a colloquial touch, but it's not improper in formal contexts.

[caliber1]

Thanks everyone. When my partner and I are driving in our truck, we listen to a local Spanish radio station and I can think right now of about three romance songs where the singer is asking the girl to "regresar" to him. This is a good thing to know because even though I mostly here the word "regresar" or its conjugated form, it is still good to know if someone uses "volver" or its conjugated form. Thanks again amigos. This has been very helpful.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

"Regresar"/"volver" are certainly used in the sense of resuming a love relationship that was broken.

·Juan y María rompieron hace seis meses pero ya regresaron/volvieron.
Juan and María broke up six months ago, but they're together again.

·Estoy convencido de que somos el uno para el otro; regresa/vuelve conmigo.
I'm convinced we're meant for each other, come back to me.

·Nos divorciamos hace tres años, pero ya regresamos/volvimos.
We divorced three years ago, but now we're together again.

[caliber1]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Use volver a or regresar a to say 'return to (a place or something).

To return something, or give something back, devolver is more commonly used. However, regresar (without the preposition 'a') also works, but not everywhere.

Ya vuelvo. Ahora mismo vuelvo. = I'll be right back. (The present tense is used to express the immediate/near future.) "Ya vuelvo" is more popular than "Ya regreso," but not by much. "Ahora mismo vuelvo" is much more popular than "Ahora mismo regreso."

You can use "estaré de vuelta," but no one will understand that you're coming right back. The future tense conveys 'not anytime soon'.

Maybe I should start a new thread, but since we're on the topic of "vuelta", would I say "Voy a dar la vuelta" for "I'm going to turn around?"

Thank yous sir!

[Rusty]

Yes, but the phrase has other means when used in other contexts.

If you're driving and say "Voy a dar la vuelta," that means you're going to turn around (do a 180).

[ROBINDESBOIS]

In Spain volver is much more popular.

[JPablo]

Agree with Robin, (and everyone else, as a matter of fact) and interestingly I see that AleC perception of the usage it seems to be closer to my "Castilian" perception than I thought.

One song goes "Y volver, volver, voooolveeeeer... a mis/tus brazos otras vez..."
"Vuelvo en un momentito" se lo puede decir una dependienta a un cliente, por ejemplo... en España... Desde luego "regresar" en la piel de toro (Spain) es más formal y mucho menos usado.

El tango que cantaba Gardel (y muchos más...) decía: "Voooolver... con la frente marchita, las nieves del tiempo platearon mi sien...

Il Divo cantaba una canción que iba "Regreeeesa a mí..."
Y una canción de los 60, iba algo así como "Vuelve a quererme otra vez como ayer..."

Pero claro, de gustos, hay de todos los colores.

Me alegro de volver a participar algo más en los foros... Aunque no creo que regrese/vuelva a mis momentos más prolíficos... Espero que los ejemplos ayuden.

[micho]

Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS

In Spain volver is much more popular.

Si pero yo veo diferencias en el uso de regresar según paises. En España no se suele usar regresar como devolver algo, ni una pareja regresa a enamorarse. Una pareja vuelve a amarse y se besan cuando regresan a casa.

[JPablo]

Estoy de acuerdo.