What's the difference between "volver" and regresar"?

Question

Both mean "to return" right? But which ones mean like "to return a borrowed item" and "to return home from work"?

Answer 1

Devolver lo que pedí prestado ........ To return that which I borrowed

Mañana voy a regresar a casa ......... Tomorrow I am going to return home.

Vamos a volver a empezar .......... Let´s start over again (as in a relationship)

I like that. Nice examples. - KevinB, Sep 22, 2010

;) - jrschenk, Sep 15, 2016

Answer 2

I would use "devolver" when talking about returning something.
For example, - devolverle algo a alguien, to return something to someone.

However, you can use "regresar" in the same manner, for example, - regrésame el libro lo antes posible.

Volver can be used a bunch of ways too. - Volverán a su pueblo natal. They'll go back to their hometown. - No vuelvas atrás. Don't turn back.

"volver a + infinitive" means to do something again

There's too much to cover in a post like this, but these are some fun verbs to play with and learn.

I agree with this. However, the transitive use of the verb "regresar" would be limited to some latin american countries, in Spain we use "devolver" for that. - bill1111, Sep 23, 2010

Answer 3

my GUESS...

to return a borrowed item...devolver, retornar

to return from work....volver or regresar

volver

aún no ha vuelto del trabajo -> she isn't back o hasn't got back from work yet

regresar

regresó a su casa después de dos meses en el extranjero -> she returned home after two months abroad

¡Bienvenida al foro!

Welcome to the forum.