Regagner

Regagner is a French verb meaning to regain, to return to a place after an absence, or to recover a state or possession. It can describe a physical return, such as going back to work, as well as abstract gains, like regaining energy, morale, or ground in a dispute.

Etymology and usage notes: the verb is formed from the prefix re- plus gagner (to gain or win). The sense of regagner is generally “to gain again” or “to win back,” and it is commonly used with a direct object or a prepositional complement to indicate what is regained, for example regagner son énergie or regagner le terrain. It is preferable to use regagner rather than revenir or retourner when the emphasis is on reclaiming or returning to a state or place after an absence.

Conjugation: regagner is a regular -er verb. Indicative present forms are: je regagne, tu regagnes, il regagne, nous regagnons, vous regagnez, ils regagnent. The passé composé is j'ai regagné; the imperfect is je regagnais, tu regagnais, il regagnait, nous regagnions, vous regagniez, ils regagnaient. The future is je regagnerai; the conditional is je regagnerais. The subjunctive present is que je regagne, que tu regagnes, qu'il regagne, que nous regagnions, que vous regagniez, qu'ils regagnent. The past participle is regagné, and the present participle is regagnant.

Usage examples: Elle a regagné sa place au conseil. L'équipe regagnait du terrain après la pause. On peut regagner de l'énergie après une journée de repos.

See also: gagner, revenir, rentrer.