This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb #8,000 most common 10 min read

regañar

Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips regañar in 30 Seconds

Explanation regañar in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'regañar' is a useful word for talking about basic family and school situations. You should learn it as a regular '-ar' verb. Focus on simple sentences like 'Mi mamá me regaña' (My mom scolds me). It's important to understand that it describes someone in authority (like a parent or teacher) telling someone else they did something wrong. You will mostly use it in the present tense to describe common occurrences. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just remember that if you do something bad, you might get 'regañado'. It's a key word for understanding basic stories about children and pets.

At the A2 level, you start using 'regañar' to explain reasons. You will use the preposition 'por' followed by a noun or an infinitive verb to explain why the scolding happened. For example, 'Me regañó por no estudiar' (He scolded me for not studying). You should also practice using it in the past tense (Preterite) to talk about specific things that happened yesterday or last week. You'll notice the 'personal a' is used when scolding a specific person: 'Regañé a mi hermano'. This level is about connecting the action of scolding to everyday consequences and past events.

At the B1 level, you can use 'regañar' in more complex sentence structures, including the subjunctive. For instance, 'Mi padre quiere que no me regañen' (My father wants them not to scold me). You also begin to understand the difference between 'regañar' and its synonyms like 'reñir' or 'discutir'. You can use it to describe social dynamics and express how you feel about being reprimanded. You should be comfortable using direct object pronouns (me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las) with the verb. You might also start using the noun 'regaño' (a scold/reprimand) in your sentences.

At the B2 level, you should be aware of the nuances of 'regañar' in different social contexts, such as the workplace or formal settings. You can use more advanced synonyms like 'reprender' or 'amonestar' when appropriate. You also start to use idiomatic expressions related to scolding, like 'echar una bronca'. You can discuss the cultural implications of discipline and how 'regañar' reflects authority in Hispanic cultures. Your use of the verb will be more precise, and you will be able to use it in the passive voice or with 'se' for impersonal statements: 'Se regañó a los culpables'.

At the C1 level, you use 'regañar' and its derivatives with native-like precision. You understand the historical etymology (from 'gannire', to snarl) and how that influences its tone. You can use it in literary analysis or high-level debates about education and parenting. You are familiar with regional variations and can switch between 'regañar', 'reñir', and regional slang effortlessly. You can also use the verb in figurative ways, such as 'la conciencia me regaña' (my conscience scolds me). Your understanding of the word includes its psychological weight and social function in maintaining order.

At the C2 level, 'regañar' is just one tool in a vast arsenal of vocabulary. You can use it to explore complex philosophical or sociological themes regarding authority, discipline, and linguistic evolution. You recognize the subtle differences in tone between 'una regañina', 'un rapapolvo', and 'una amonestación' in a professional or legal context. You can use the verb in highly sophisticated structures, including rare tenses and complex conditional sentences. You understand how the use of this word has changed over time in Spanish literature and can use it to evoke specific historical or cultural atmospheres.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

regañar in 30 Seconds

Regañar is the most common Spanish verb for 'to scold' or 'to reprimand', primarily used in family, school, and work contexts.
It is a regular -ar verb that requires the personal 'a' when referring to people and uses 'por' to explain the reason.
The word implies a hierarchy where an authority figure corrects a subordinate, though it can be used colloquially among friends.
Common synonyms include 'reñir' (common in Spain), 'reprender' (formal), and the idiom 'echar una bronca' (informal/slang).

The Spanish verb regañar is a fundamental word in the Hispanic emotional and social vocabulary. At its core, it means to scold, reprimand, or tell someone off. However, its usage is deeply rooted in the hierarchical and communal structures of Spanish-speaking societies. While English speakers might use 'scold' or 'lecture,' regañar carries a specific weight of authority, usually exercised by a parent, a teacher, or a supervisor. It implies a verbal correction intended to improve behavior or express disapproval of a specific action. Unlike a simple 'argument' (discusión), a regañina (the act of scolding) is often a one-way street where the person in authority expresses their dissatisfaction.

The Family Dynamic: In most Spanish-speaking households, regañar is the primary tool for discipline. It is not necessarily seen as negative in a toxic sense, but rather as a necessary part of 'educación' (upbringing). When a mother says, 'Te voy a regañar,' she is asserting her role as the guide of the child's moral compass.

Mi abuela siempre me regañaba si no me terminaba la sopa, diciendo que la comida no se tira.

Beyond the home, the word finds its way into the workplace and school. If a boss regaña an employee, it suggests a lack of professionalism or a failure to meet expectations. It is important to note that regañar is distinct from gritar (to shout). While one might shout while scolding, the act of regañar is defined by the corrective intent, not just the volume. In many regions, particularly Spain, you might also hear the verb reñir used synonymously, though regañar remains the more common and versatile term across the Americas.

Social Context: The verb also appears in common social settings. For example, if a dog is barking too much, the owner will regañar al perro. It signifies a break in the social order that needs to be mended through verbal intervention.

El profesor tuvo que regañar a toda la clase porque nadie había hecho los deberes.

Interestingly, the word can also be used in a lighter, more colloquial way. Two friends might joke about one 'regañando' the other for a silly mistake. In this context, it loses its harsh edge and becomes a form of banter. However, in its most standard use, it remains the go-to verb for describing that specific moment when someone with power tells someone else exactly what they did wrong and why they shouldn't do it again. Understanding regañar is essential for understanding the dynamics of authority and respect in Spanish culture.

Using regañar correctly involves understanding its transitive nature and its common prepositional pairings. In Spanish, you scold someone (direct object) for something (preposition por). This 'por' is crucial because it links the action of scolding to the cause or reason behind it. For example, 'Me regañaron por llegar tarde' (They scolded me for arriving late). Unlike English, where you might say 'scold at someone' (which is technically incorrect in English too, but often used), in Spanish, you simply use the direct object pronoun or the personal 'a'.

The Personal 'a': When the person being scolded is a specific individual, you must use the personal 'a'. Example: 'Juan regañó a su hijo'. Without the 'a', the sentence is grammatically incomplete.

Si sigues haciendo ruido, tu padre te va a regañar cuando llegue a casa.

The verb is regular in its conjugation (-ar verb), which makes it relatively easy for learners to use in various tenses. In the past tense (Preterite), it is often used to describe a specific event: 'Ayer mi jefe me regañó'. In the Imperfect, it describes a recurring habit: 'De pequeño, mis padres siempre me regañaban por no recoger mis juguetes'. The reflexive form, regañarse, is much rarer and usually implies a reciprocal action between two people (scolding each other) or, more figuratively, scolding oneself in one's head.

Object Pronouns: Because regañar is transitive, pronouns like me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las are used frequently. 'Mi madre nos regañó' (My mother scolded us).

No me regañes, ¡fue un accidente y no volverá a pasar!

In more formal writing, you might see regañar replaced by reprender or amonestar, but in everyday speech, regañar is king. It is also common to see it in the passive voice in news reports, although Spanish speakers generally prefer the active voice or the 'se' impersonal: 'Se regañó a los manifestantes' (The protesters were scolded/reprimanded). Mastering the use of this verb allows you to navigate the nuances of discipline and social correction in any Spanish-speaking environment.

You will hear regañar in almost every corner of the Spanish-speaking world, from the bustling streets of Mexico City to the quiet villages of Andalusia. It is a word of the home, the schoolyard, and the office. One of the most common places to encounter it is in childhood memories. If you ask a native Spanish speaker about their childhood, they will likely mention a time they were regañados for something. It is a word that evokes the voice of a mother, a father, or a strict 'abuela'.

In Pop Culture: In telenovelas and movies, regañar is often used in dramatic scenes where a patriarch or matriarch exerts control over the family. It is also a staple in comedy, where the 'overbearing mother' trope frequently involves constant regaños over trivial matters.

En la serie, el jefe siempre está regañando a sus empleados por cualquier tontería.

In schools, you'll hear students whispering to each other, '¡Cállate, que nos van a regañar!' (Shut up, they're going to scold us!). It is the universal warning of impending disciplinary action. Even in the animal world, if someone is training a dog, they will talk about regañar al perro when it behaves badly. The word is so pervasive because the act of verbal correction is a constant in social interaction.

Regional Variations: While regañar is understood everywhere, some regions prefer reñir (especially in Spain) or charlar (in a very specific, almost ironic sense in some Caribbean dialects). However, regañar remains the safest and most widely recognized term.

¿Por qué me regañas tanto? Solo he llegado cinco minutos tarde.

In summary, regañar is not just a verb; it's a reflection of social boundaries. It's heard in the kitchen when someone uses the wrong knife, in the classroom when a student is talking, and in the park when a child runs too far away. It is the soundtrack of growing up and living in a Spanish-speaking society, representing the constant negotiation between individual action and social expectations.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using regañar is trying to translate the English structure 'to scold at someone' directly. In Spanish, there is no 'at'. You don't regañar a alguien 'en' or 'a'. You simply regañar a [persona]. Adding extra prepositions between the verb and the person is a common 'Spanglish' error that sounds very unnatural to native ears.

Mistaking 'Regañar' for 'Pelear': Another mistake is using regañar when you mean 'to fight' or 'to argue'. Regañar is usually a one-way action (authority to subordinate). If two people are having an equal argument, you should use discutir or pelear. Using regañar in an equal relationship can sound condescending.

Incorrecto: Mi amigo y yo nos regañamos por la película. (Unless you were literally scolding each other like children).

Pronunciation is another area where learners struggle, specifically with the 'ñ'. Many students pronounce it like a plain 'n', saying 're-ga-nar' instead of 're-ga-nyar'. The 'ñ' sound is like the 'ny' in 'canyon' or 'onion'. Missing this sound changes the word entirely and can make it unrecognizable in fast conversation.

Overusing the Passive Voice: English speakers often say 'I was scolded'. While 'Fui regañado' is grammatically possible, it sounds very stiff. Native speakers almost always say 'Me regañaron' (They scolded me) or 'Mi madre me regañó'.

Correcto: Me regañó el profesor por hablar en clase.

Lastly, be careful with the intensity. Regañar is a strong word but not an abusive one. However, using it in a professional context towards a peer can be seen as very rude, as it implies you have authority over them that you may not actually possess. Always consider the social hierarchy before choosing this verb over a more neutral one like 'comentar' or 'corregir'.

Spanish has a rich variety of words to describe the act of reprimanding, each with its own nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more natural and precise. The most direct synonym is reñir. In Spain, reñir is often preferred over regañar, especially when talking about children. However, reñir can also mean 'to fight' or 'to have a falling out' with someone, which regañar does not.

Regañar vs. Reprender: Reprender is more formal and academic. You'll find it in literature or legal contexts. While regañar is something a mother does, reprender is something a judge or a high-ranking official might do.
Regañar vs. Amonestar: Amonestar is even more formal, often used in sports (like a yellow card) or official workplace warnings. It implies a formal notice of misconduct.

El árbitro amonestó al jugador por la falta, mientras que el entrenador lo regañó en el vestuario.

In colloquial Spanish, there are many colorful idioms that replace regañar. In Spain, 'echar una bronca' or 'echar un rapapolvo' are very common. In Mexico, you might hear 'dar un sermón' (to give a sermon/lecture) or 'poner como un trapo' (to scold someone severely). These phrases add flavor to your Spanish and show a higher level of fluency.

Regañar vs. Criticar: Criticar is to criticize. You can criticize someone behind their back, but you regañar them to their face. Regañar is a direct confrontation with the goal of correction.

No me critiques con los demás; si hice algo mal, regañame a mí directamente.

Finally, consider corregir (to correct). If the scolding is very mild and purely educational, corregir is a softer, more positive alternative. Choosing the right word depends entirely on the intensity of the reprimand and the relationship between the people involved. By mastering these synonyms, you can navigate any social situation in Spanish with confidence.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The adverb 'regañadientes' (grudgingly) comes from the image of someone being scolded and showing their teeth in frustration, like a snarling dog.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /re.ɣaˈɲar/

US /re.ɡaˈɲar/

The stress is on the last syllable 'ñar' because it ends in 'r'.

Rhymes With

soñar bañar engañar acompañar extrañar arañar empañar dañar

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ñ' as a plain 'n' (re-ga-nar).
Over-pronouncing the 'g' like an English 'g' in 'goat' (it should be softer between vowels).
Stress on the first or second syllable instead of the last.
Americanizing the 'r' to be a retroflex 'r' (like 'red') instead of a tap.
Failing to pronounce the final 'r' clearly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its common usage.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct use of the personal 'a' and the preposition 'por'.

Speaking 3/5

The 'ñ' sound and the tapped 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

madre padre niño malo hablar

Learn Next

reñir discutir castigar obedecer comportarse

Advanced

amonestación reprimenda rapapolvo conminar vituperar

Grammar to Know

Personal 'a'

Regañar **a** María.

Preposition 'por' for causes

Regañar **por** mentir.

Direct Object Pronouns

Mi madre **me** regañó.

Subjunctive with verbs of will

Quiero que no me **regañes**.

Imperfect vs Preterite

Me **regañaba** (habit) vs Me **regañó** (once).

Examples by Level

Mi mamá me regaña mucho.

My mom scolds me a lot.

Present tense, first person object pronoun 'me'.

El profesor regaña a los niños.

The teacher scolds the children.

Use of the personal 'a' before 'los niños'.

No me regañes, por favor.

Don't scold me, please.

Negative imperative (command) form.

Ella regaña al perro.

She scolds the dog.

Direct object with 'al' (a + el).

Mi papá nunca me regaña.

My dad never scolds me.

Adverb 'nunca' placed before the verb.

Tú regañas a tu hermano.

You scold your brother.

Present tense 'tú' form.

Nosotros regañamos a los gatos.

We scold the cats.

First person plural present tense.

¿Por qué me regañas?

Why are you scolding me?

Interrogative sentence with 'por qué'.

Ayer mi jefe me regañó por llegar tarde.

Yesterday my boss scolded me for arriving late.

Preterite tense and 'por' + infinitive.

Me regañaron porque no hice la tarea.

They scolded me because I didn't do the homework.

Third person plural preterite (impersonal).

Mi abuela me regañaba si no comía todo.

My grandmother used to scold me if I didn't eat everything.

Imperfect tense for habitual actions.

Voy a regañar a Juan por romper el vaso.

I am going to scold Juan for breaking the glass.

Near future 'ir a' + infinitive.

No quiero que me regañes por esto.

I don't want you to scold me for this.

Present subjunctive after 'querer que'.

El policía regañó al conductor por ir rápido.

The police officer scolded the driver for going fast.

Preterite tense with personal 'a'.

Siempre nos regañan por hablar en la biblioteca.

They always scold us for talking in the library.

Present tense with 'nos' and 'por' + infinitive.

Regañé a mi gato por subir a la mesa.

I scolded my cat for climbing on the table.

Preterite first person.

Es normal que los padres regañen a sus hijos.

It is normal for parents to scold their children.

Subjunctive mood after 'es normal que'.

Si me regañas, me pondré muy triste.

If you scold me, I will get very sad.

First conditional: Si + present, future.

Me han regañado varias veces esta semana.

I have been scolded several times this week.

Present perfect tense.

Estaba regañando al niño cuando tú entraste.

I was scolding the child when you came in.

Past progressive (imperfect of estar + gerund).

Ojalá no me regañen por perder las llaves.

I hope they don't scold me for losing the keys.

Subjunctive after 'ojalá'.

Le regañaron fuertemente por su mala actitud.

They scolded him strongly for his bad attitude.

Adverb 'fuertemente' modifying the verb.

No es necesario regañar a nadie por un error tan pequeño.

It's not necessary to scold anyone for such a small mistake.

Infinitive used as a subject phrase.

Me regañó tanto que empecé a llorar.

He scolded me so much that I started to cry.

Consecutive clause: tanto que...

Aunque me regañen, voy a decir la verdad.

Even if they scold me, I'm going to tell the truth.

Concessive clause with subjunctive (even if).

Se pasó la tarde regañando a todo el mundo.

He spent the afternoon scolding everyone.

Verb 'pasarse' + gerund.

Fue regañado por la directiva debido a su comportamiento.

He was reprimanded by the board due to his behavior.

Passive voice (ser + past participle).

Agradezco que me regañaras, necesitaba ese empujón.

I appreciate that you scolded me; I needed that push.

Past subjunctive after a verb of emotion.

No me vengas con regaños ahora que ya es tarde.

Don't come to me with scoldings now that it's already late.

Noun 'regaño' used in a colloquial expression.

Regañar a un empleado en público es una falta de respeto.

Scolding an employee in public is a lack of respect.

Infinitive as a noun/subject.

Si lo hubieras hecho bien, no te habrían regañado.

If you had done it well, they wouldn't have scolded you.

Third conditional: Si + pluperfect subjunctive, conditional perfect.

El entrenador regañó a los jugadores por su falta de concentración.

The coach scolded the players for their lack of concentration.

Noun phrase 'falta de concentración' as the reason.

Suele regañar a sus subordinados sin motivo aparente.

He tends to scold his subordinates without any apparent reason.

Verb 'soler' + infinitive.

Me regaña la conciencia cada vez que miento.

My conscience scolds me every time I lie.

Figurative use with 'la conciencia'.

Por mucho que me regañes, no cambiaré de opinión.

No matter how much you scold me, I won't change my mind.

Concessive structure: por mucho que + subjunctive.

La prensa regañó duramente al gobierno por su gestión.

The press harshly criticized/scolded the government for its management.

Metaphorical use in journalism.

No es que te esté regañando, es que me preocupo por ti.

It's not that I'm scolding you, it's that I worry about you.

Negative 'no es que' + subjunctive.

Apenas terminó de regañarme, se dio cuenta de su error.

As soon as he finished scolding me, he realized his mistake.

Temporal clause with 'apenas'.

El tono con el que me regañó fue totalmente desproporcionado.

The tone with which he scolded me was totally disproportionate.

Relative clause 'con el que'.

Se regañó a sí mismo por haber sido tan descuidado.

He scolded himself for having been so careless.

Reflexive 'se' + 'a sí mismo'.

La posteridad lo regañará por su falta de visión política.

Posterity will reprimand/scold him for his lack of political vision.

Abstract future subject 'la posteridad'.

Sus palabras, más que regañar, buscaban una reflexión profunda.

His words, rather than scolding, sought a profound reflection.

Comparative structure 'más que'.

Hubo quien se atrevió a regañar al monarca en pleno consejo.

There was someone who dared to scold the monarch in the middle of the council.

Relative pronoun 'quien' and formal context.

El viento parecía regañar a los árboles en aquella noche de tormenta.

The wind seemed to scold the trees on that stormy night.

Personification in literary description.

No cabe regañar a quien ha actuado de buena fe.

It is not appropriate to scold someone who has acted in good faith.

Fixed expression 'no cabe' + infinitive.

Se le regañó de forma velada, sin usar palabras hirientes.

He was scolded in a veiled way, without using hurtful words.

Impersonal 'se' with an indirect/veiled adverbial phrase.

La crítica literaria regañó al autor por su excesivo barroquismo.

The literary critics scolded the author for his excessive baroque style.

Collective noun 'la crítica' as subject.

Si bien me regañó, su mirada desprendía una ternura infinita.

Although he scolded me, his gaze radiated infinite tenderness.

Concessive 'si bien' contrast.

Common Collocations

regañar fuertemente

regañar a los niños

regañar por nada

parar de regañar

regañar al perro

regañar en público

regañar con razón

regañar a gritos

regañar por llegar tarde

no paraba de regañar

Common Phrases

Te van a regañar

— A warning that someone will scold you. Very common among siblings or classmates.

Si rompes eso, te van a regañar.

No me regañes

— A plea for someone to stop scolding or not to start. Used frequently in close relationships.

No me regañes, ya sé que me equivoqué.

Regañar por todo

— To describe someone who is constantly scolding for even minor things.

Mi abuelo me regaña por todo.

Merecer un regaño

— To deserve a scolding. Used when someone acknowledges their mistake.

Sé que merezco un regaño por lo que hice.

Un buen regaño

— A serious or effective scolding. Often seen as necessary discipline.

Ese niño necesita un buen regaño.

Regañar a alguien la conciencia

— A figurative phrase meaning to feel guilty. Your inner voice is scolding you.

Me regaña la conciencia por no haber ayudado.

Sin regañar

— Without scolding. Often used when asking for honest feedback without fear of anger.

Dime la verdad, sin regañar.

Regañar a diestro y siniestro

— To scold everyone around without distinction. Implies a general state of anger.

Hoy el director está regañando a diestro y siniestro.

Estar de regaño

— To be in a scolding mood. Used to describe someone's current emotional state.

Cuidado, mamá hoy está de regaño.

Regañar por lo bajini

— To scold someone under one's breath or quietly to avoid being heard by others.

Me regañó por lo bajini durante la cena.

Often Confused With

regañar vs reñir

Often synonyms, but 'reñir' can also mean 'to fight/argue' in an equal relationship.

regañar vs discutir

Discutir is a two-way argument; regañar is one-way scolding.

regañar vs gritar

Gritar is just the volume (shouting); regañar is the corrective message.

Idioms & Expressions

"Echar una bronca"

— To give someone a piece of your mind or a loud scolding. Very common in Spain.

Mi madre me echó una bronca por perder las llaves.

Informal

"Poner a alguien como un trapo"

— To scold someone very harshly, effectively 'treating them like a rag'.

El jefe lo puso como un trapo delante de todos.

Colloquial

"Cantar las cuarenta"

— To tell someone off or scold them by telling them the truth plainly. Originates from a card game.

Le voy a cantar las cuarenta a mi vecino por el ruido.

Informal

"Dar un rapapolvo"

— To give someone a sharp, severe reprimand. Often used in administrative or school contexts.

El profesor le dio un rapapolvo por copiar.

Neutral/Informal

"Leer la cartilla"

— To scold someone by reminding them of the rules they must follow. Similar to 'laying down the law'.

Mi padre me leyó la cartilla antes de salir de fiesta.

Informal

"Echar un puro"

— To give someone a massive scolding, especially in a work or military context. Common in Spain.

Me echaron un puro por no terminar el informe.

Slang

"Poner los puntos sobre las íes"

— While it means to clarify things, it is often done in a scolding or stern manner.

Tuve que ponerle los puntos sobre las íes a mi hermano.

Neutral

"Bajarle los humos a alguien"

— To scold someone to humble them or take them down a notch.

El entrenador le bajó los humos con un buen regaño.

Informal

"Echar pestes"

— To scold or speak very badly of someone or something, often in their absence.

No para de echar pestes de su jefe.

Colloquial

"Tirar de las orejas"

— Literally 'to pull the ears', but figuratively it means a mild scolding or a reminder.

Habrá que tirarle de las orejas por olvidarse de mi cumple.

Informal/Child-friendly

Easily Confused

regañar vs reñir

They both mean scold.

Regañar is more common in Latin America; reñir is more common in Spain and can also mean to argue.

Mis padres riñeron (they argued) vs Mis padres me regañaron (they scolded me).

regañar vs discutir

Both involve verbal conflict.

Discutir is an exchange of opinions; regañar is a reprimand from someone in charge.

Discutimos sobre política vs Me regañó por la política.

regañar vs castigar

Both are forms of discipline.

Regañar is verbal; castigar is an actual punishment (like no TV).

Me regañó y luego me castigó sin salir.

regañar vs gritar

Scolding often involves shouting.

You can regañar without shouting, and you can shout without regañando (like at a game).

Me regañó en voz baja.

regañar vs criticar

Both involve negative feedback.

Criticar is judging; regañar is correcting behavior directly.

Critica mi ropa vs Me regaña por mi ropa sucia.

Sentence Patterns

[Sujeto] regaña a [Persona].

Mamá regaña a Juan.

[Sujeto] [Pronombre] regañó por [Infinitivo].

Él me regañó por gritar.

No quiero que [Sujeto] me regañe.

No quiero que mi jefe me regañe.

Si [Sujeto] me regañara, yo [Condicional].

Si ella me regañara, yo pediría perdón.

Por más que me regañes, [Acción].

Por más que me regañes, no lo haré.

No cabe sino regañar a quien...

No cabe sino regañar a quien ignora las leyes.

Llevarse un regaño.

Me llevé un buen regaño ayer.

Estar regañando.

Ella siempre está regañando.

Word Family

Nouns

regaño (the act of scolding)

regañina (a long or severe scolding)

regañón / regañona (a person who scolds a lot)

Verbs

regañar (to scold)

regañarse (to scold oneself or each other)

Adjectives

regañado (scolded)

regañón (grumpy/prone to scolding)

reñir

reprender

amonestar

discutir

pelear

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily spoken Spanish.

Common Mistakes

Regañar a alguien *en* algo. → Regañar a alguien *por* algo.
In Spanish, the reason for scolding is always introduced by the preposition 'por', never 'en' or 'de'.
Regañar *con* mi hermano. → Regañar *a* mi hermano.
Regañar is a transitive verb. You scold someone, you don't scold 'with' someone (unless you are both scolding someone else).
Me regañaron *para* no estudiar. → Me regañaron *por* no estudiar.
Use 'por' to indicate the cause. 'Para' indicates purpose, which doesn't fit here.
Pronouncing it 're-ga-nar'. → Pronouncing it 're-ga-ñar'.
The 'ñ' is a distinct letter and sound. Replacing it with 'n' makes the word incorrect.
Using 'regañar' for a friendly debate. → Using 'discutir' or 'debatir'.
'Regañar' implies someone is in trouble. Don't use it for a normal exchange of ideas.

Tips

Use 'por' for the reason

Always follow 'regañar' with 'por' if you want to say why. 'Me regañó por llegar tarde' is the standard structure.

Master the 'ñ'

Don't say 're-ga-nar'. Make sure you use the 'ny' sound. It's the most important part of the word's identity.

Learn 'reñir' too

If you are traveling to Spain, you will hear 'reñir' just as much as 'regañar'. They are interchangeable for scolding.

Watch the hierarchy

Only 'regañar' people you have the right to correct. Using it with a superior or a stranger can be seen as an insult.

Echar una bronca

If you want to sound very native in Spain, use 'echar una bronca'. It's the most common informal way to say 'to scold'.

Regal Anger

Think of 'Rega-' as 'Regal' (royal) and '-ñar' as 'Anger'. A king showing his anger is scolding you.

Avoid the passive voice

Instead of 'Fui regañado', use 'Me regañaron'. It flows much better in Spanish writing and speech.

Home word

This is a very 'homely' word. Use it when talking about childhood memories or family life to sound authentic.

Dogs and cats

Use 'regañar' when talking about training your pets. 'Hay que regañar al perro si hace pis dentro'.

Regañar vs Discutir

Remember: regañar is vertical (top-down), discutir is horizontal (equal-equal).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Regal' (rega-) person 'Answering' (-ñar) with a scold. A king scolding his subjects.

Visual Association

Imagine a mother pointing a finger at a small dog that is snarling (connecting to the Latin root 'gannire').

Word Web

madre hijo escuela por reñir perro error voz

Challenge

Try to use 'regañar' in three different tenses today: 'Me regañaron', 'Me regañan', and 'Me van a regañar'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 're-' (intensive) + 'gannire' (to yelp, snarl, or bark).

Original meaning: Originally, it referred to the snarling sound a dog makes when it is angry or about to bite.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'regañar' with your peers or boss; it implies you are superior to them. Use 'comentar' or 'sugerir' instead.

English speakers might find 'regañar' more common and socially acceptable to talk about than 'scolding' is in English, which can sound a bit old-fashioned.

The character 'Doña Florinda' in 'El Chavo del Ocho' is famous for regañando 'Don Ramón'. Many Spanish songs mention 'regaños de mamá' as a nostalgic childhood memory. Quino's 'Mafalda' comic strip often features Mafalda being regañada by her mother.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home

Mamá me regañó
No regañes a tu hermano
Te van a regañar
Un regaño merecido

At school

El profe nos regañó
Regañar por hablar
Me regañaron en clase
Evitar un regaño

With pets

Regañar al perro
No sirve de nada regañar al gato
Regañarlo por morder
Un pequeño regaño

At work

El jefe me regañó
Regañar por el informe
No me gusta que me regañen
Regaño profesional

Self-reflection

Me regaño a mí mismo
La conciencia me regaña
No te regañes tanto
Regañarse por un error

Conversation Starters

"¿Cuándo fue la última vez que alguien te regañó?"

"¿Tus padres te regañaban mucho cuando eras pequeño?"

"¿Por qué cosas sueles regañar a tus hijos o mascotas?"

"¿Crees que regañar es una buena forma de enseñar?"

"¿Te han regañado alguna vez en el trabajo por algo injusto?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una situación en la que te regañaron y cómo te sentiste al respecto.

Escribe sobre una vez que tuviste que regañar a alguien. ¿Fue difícil?

¿Cuál es el regaño más divertido o extraño que has recibido en tu vida?

Reflexiona sobre la diferencia entre regañar y educar en tu cultura.

Imagina que eres un profesor. ¿Por qué motivos regañarías a tus alumnos?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is used in Spain, but 'reñir' is often more common in daily speech when referring to children. However, everyone understands 'regañar'.

Technically yes, but it would be very disrespectful and linguistically strange, as it implies you have authority over them. Use 'hacer una crítica' instead.

'Regañar' is for everyday use (parents, friends), while 'reprender' is formal and academic. You'll see 'reprender' in books more than you'll hear it in the kitchen.

No, you can 'regañar' a pet, an employee, or even yourself. It just requires an authority dynamic or a corrective intent.

It's an adverb meaning 'grudgingly' or 'reluctantly'. It comes from the idea of doing something while 'scolding with your teeth' (muttering).

The most natural way is 'Me regañaron' (They scolded me). You can say 'Fui regañado', but it sounds very formal and a bit unnatural in conversation.

It is a soft 'g' (like 'sugar' but even softer) because it is between two vowels. It shouldn't sound like the 'g' in 'gate'.

Not anymore. Its Latin root 'gannire' meant to yelp, but in modern Spanish, it only refers to the human act of scolding.

A 'regañina' is a noun meaning a long, annoying, or severe scolding. 'Mi madre me dio una regañina de una hora'.

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.