rentrer à la maison
To say 'come home' in French, you use rentrer à la maison.
The phrase is used to describe the action of returning to the place where one lives. In many conversational contexts, the verb rentrer is often used alone to mean 'to go home' or 'to come home' without needing the full phrase.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase rentrer à la maison is composed of rentrer (to return or go back in), à la (to the) and maison (house).
Which one should you use?
While rentrer à la maison is a complete phrase, you can also use the single verb rentrer to mean 'to go home' in casual conversation.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying rentrer à ma maison, as it is not natural. Instead, use rentrer à la maison (to go home) or rentrer chez moi (to go to my place).
Did you know?
- In France, the phrase je rentre can be used as a signal to leave a party or dinner, effectively meaning 'I am heading home' before the person has actually moved.
- The word maison is used in French to describe not just a home, but also a business or fashion house, such as la maison Chanel.
- The French word maison is a direct relative of the English word 'mansion'. While 'mansion' now implies a luxury estate, they both stem from the Latin word for a place to stay.
Examples in context
- Il vient juste de rentrer à la maison.He has just come home.This sentence shows the use of the phrase to describe someone who has just arrived home.Tatoeba #131160 by Aiji, translation #291727 by CK
- Tu dois rentrer à la maison tout de suite.You need to come home right now.This sentence uses the phrase to express an immediate need to return home.Tatoeba #6297580 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #6294163 by Hybrid
- Quand est-ce qu'elle va rentrer à la maison ?When will she come home?This sentence uses the phrase to ask about the timing of someone returning home.Tatoeba #3777810 by kamillel, translation #3777078 by AlanF_US
- Rentre à la maison, Tom! Le dîner est prêt.Come home, Tom! Dinner is ready.
- Rentrez à la maison, il est tard.Come home, it's getting late.
- Venez à la maison quand vous le souhaitez, l'invitation est toujours ouverte.Come home whenever you want, the invitation is always open.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are talking on the phone late at night.
- LéaHugo, tu vas rentrer à la maison ?Hugo, are you coming home?
- HugoNon, je vais rentrer à la maison plus tard.No, I am going to come home later.
- LéaJe t'attends à la maison.I am waiting for you at home.
- HugoD'accord, je rentre bientôt.Okay, I'm coming home soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, maison, rentrer, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
