The Imperfect Tense of regresar is used to describe actions that were ongoing or repeated in the past, for example, Yo regresaba a casa todos los días a las 6 p.m. (I used to return home every day at 6 p.m.).

Regresar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Regresar (to return) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

The imperfect tense of regresar is used to describe ongoing, repeated, or habitual actions in the past.

Describing an ongoing action in the past: For example, Cuando era niño, regresaba a casa después de la escuela. (When I was a child, I used to return home after school.)

Describing a repeated or habitual action in the past: For example, Cada verano regresábamos a la playa. (Every summer we would return to the beach.)

Describing a past action without specifying its beginning or end: For example, Regresaba a casa muy tarde por las noches. (I used to return home very late at night.)

Describing a past action that was interrupted by another action: For example, Regresaba a casa cuando me encontré con un amigo. (I was returning home when I ran into a friend.)

Describing a past action that was ongoing at a specific time: For example, A las cinco, regresaba del trabajo. (At five o’clock, I was returning from work.)

Colloquial usage: In some regions, regresar can be used informally to mean “to return something” or “to give back.” For example, ¿Me regresas mi libro? (Can you give me back my book?)

Examples

Examples of Regresar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo regresaba a casa después del trabajo. (I was returning home after work.)

Ellos regresaban de sus vacaciones con muchas historias que contar. (They were returning from their vacation with many stories to tell.)

Cuando era niño, regresaba de la escuela y jugaba en el parque. (When I was a child, I was returning from school and playing in the park.)

Mis amigos regresaban del cine emocionados por la nueva película. (My friends were returning from the movies excited about the new film.)

Cada verano, regresábamos a nuestro pueblo natal para visitar a la familia. (Every summer, we were returning to our hometown to visit family.)

La pareja regresaba de su luna de miel con recuerdos inolvidables. (The couple was returning from their honeymoon with unforgettable memories.)

Después de un largo día de trabajo, regresaba a casa agotado pero satisfecho. (After a long day at work, I was returning home exhausted but satisfied.)

Los turistas regresaban de su excursión con muchas fotos y souvenirs. (The tourists were returning from their excursion with many photos and souvenirs.)

Cada fin de semana, regresábamos a la ciudad para visitar a nuestros padres. (Every weekend, we were returning to the city to visit our parents.)

Después de un largo viaje, regresaba a casa con ganas de descansar. (After a long trip, I was returning home eager to rest.)

Los estudiantes regresaban de sus prácticas con nuevas habilidades y experiencias. (The students were returning from their internships with new skills and experiences.)

Cada año, regresábamos a la playa para disfrutar del sol y la arena. (Every year, we were returning to the beach to enjoy the sun and sand.)

Después de una noche de fiesta, regresaba a casa con resaca. (After a night of partying, I was returning home with a hangover.)

Los atletas regresaban de la competencia con medallas y trofeos. (The athletes were returning from the competition with medals and trophies.)

Cada otoño, regresábamos a la montaña para admirar los colores del follaje. (Every fall, we were returning to the mountain to admire the colors of the foliage.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Regresar (to return) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperfect tense is also known as the Past Imperfect, Descriptive Past, Past Progressive, or Imperfect Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Imperfecto, Copretérito, Imperfecto de Indicativo, or Pasado Descriptivo in Spanish.