Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| zurückkommen | [t͡suˈʁʏkˌkɔmən] (narrow) |
| zurückkehren | /tsuˈʁʏkˌkeːʁən/ |
The verb is used intransitively to describe the act of returning to a place.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the prefix zurück (back) and kommen (to come).
Which one should you use?
zurückkommen is the standard, everyday way to say 'come back'. In contrast, zurückkehren is more formal and is often used in literary contexts or when discussing a permanent return, such as a traveler returning home or a soldier returning from war.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the perfect tense, zurückkommen uses the auxiliary verb sein instead of haben because it expresses a change of location (e.g., ist zurückgekommen). Because zurückkommen is a separable-prefix verb, the zu is inserted between the prefix and the base verb in an infinitive clause, such as zurückzukommen.
Did you know?
- The verb zurückkehren shares its root with kehren, which also means 'to sweep' or 'to turn', reflecting the circular motion of returning.
- The word zurück is related to the English word 'track', as both stem from a root meaning 'to follow a path' or 'turn back'.
- In many German dialects, the prefix zurück is shortened to z'rück, which you might hear in casual speech or songs.
Examples in context
- Er wird bald zurückkommen.He will come back soon.This sentence shows how to use zurückkommen to express a future return.Tatoeba #623450 by samueldora, translation #290244 by CK
- Tom wird nie zurückkommen.Tom will never come back.This sentence shows how to use zurückkommen to express that someone will never return.Tatoeba #8834107 by wolfgangth, translation #8552225 by CK
- Er will nicht zurückkommen.He doesn't want to come back.This sentence shows how to use zurückkommen to express a lack of desire to return.Tatoeba #12860471 by Waldelfe, translation #11823195 by calypsow
- Wenn du in Deutschland bist, komm bitte zurück.When you are in Germany, please come back.
- Kehren Sie morgen zurück und wir werden die Details besprechen.Return tomorrow, and we will discuss the details.
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are standing at the train station.
- JuliaWann wirst du zurückkommen?When will you come back?
- JulianIch werde morgen zurückkommen.I will come back tomorrow.
- JuliaKomm bitte schnell zurück!Please come back quickly!
- JulianJa, ich werde bald zurückkommen.Yes, I will come back soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “come back” translations and entries zurückkommen, zurückkehren, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zurückkehren, zurückkommen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
