To come back, or to return

Question

Any difference between 'regresar' and 'volver'?

I was saying, for example, "Nos gustaria volver un dia" meaning "We'd like to come back one day." Another example: "¿A que hora va a volver?" meaning "What time will you get back?"

Then today I overheard a woman asking a friend what time she would get back and she said, "¿Cuando regresas?" Could she just as easily used "volver"? I am in Mexico and am wondering if the use of these two verbs varies depending on the country and not just on the situation. Or if the two words are completely interchangeable.

¡Gracias!

By the way, I'm new to SD and just love being able to ask questions and get answers. I'm on my own in learning the language, but now I feel like part of a community. Entonces, quiere volver aqui al sitio muchas veces.

¡Bienvenido! - AnnRon, Jan 3, 2016

That is great mate , but always remember being a member of a family friendly group as we are involves participating also , when you are ready try a post and make comments and corrections when you feel confident. - ray76, Jan 3, 2016

Answer 1

As Gringo said, the two can be used interchangably when you want to say "return", but volver also means again, ie: "No lo vuelvo a hacer jamás (I won´t ever do it again)" / "Vuélveme a Querer (Love Me Again)".

Also: Volver ... vomitar ... vomit

I have heard devolver, not volver, for vomit. - jtaniel, Jan 3, 2016

Ha ha! That sounds very funny! I suppose if you could say to your hostess "Te devuelvo la comida" if you became sick, but it would be your own joke - 005faa61, Jan 3, 2016

Answer 2

I live in Baja California Sur and I hear both used pretty much interchangably. It depends on the person and which they prefer. And although I don't pay close enough attention there may be situational differences when a person uses one or the other.

I prefer regresar for people returning and volver for returning things, but that is just me.

Returning things -- as in, to the store or library -- is usually "devolver" in my world. - jtaniel, Jan 3, 2016