nach Hause zurückkehren
To go back home in German is nach Hause zurückkehren.
This phrase is used to describe the action of returning to the place where one lives.
Which one should you use?
In German, it is important to distinguish between movement and location. Use nach Hause to indicate movement toward home, whereas zu Hause indicates being located at home.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For everyday, informal situations, you can use nach Hause gehen or the even more informal Geh nach Hause and Geh heim.
Did you know?
- The verb kehren inside zurückkehren also means to sweep the floor with a broom.
- The word Heim is used in the compound Heimweh, which translates literally to 'home-pain' to describe homesickness.
- The word Hause actually includes an ancient 'e' ending that is no longer functional in modern German grammar, surviving only in fixed phrases like nach Hause.
Examples in context
- Du musst nach Hause zurückkehren.You have to go back home.This sentence is useful for expressing an obligation to nach Hause zurückkehren.Tatoeba #11884239 by Naina, translation #3823795 by CK
- Tom musste nicht nach Hause zurückkehren.Tom didn't need to go back home.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone did not need to nach Hause zurückkehren.Tatoeba #12345540 by mhr, translation #6530315 by CK
- Alles in allem denke ich, du solltest nach Hause zurückkehren und deinen alten Eltern helfen.All things considered, I think you should go back home and support your old parents.This sentence is useful for giving advice to someone to nach Hause zurückkehren.Tatoeba #786638 by Hans_Adler, translation #273731 by zumley
- Herr Schmidt, gehen Sie bitte nach Hause.Mr. Schmidt, please go back home.
- Hey, geh doch einfach heim!Hey, just go back home!
- Geh doch nach Hause und ruhe dich aus!Just go back home and relax!
- Mama, geh heim und koche etwas Leckeres!Mom, go back home and cook something delicious!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are at a party that is ending.
- SarahEs ist spät, ich muss jetzt nach Hause zurückkehren.It is late, I have to go back home now.
- LukasMöchtest du, dass ich dich begleite, Sarah?Would you like me to accompany you, Sarah?
- SarahNein danke, Lukas, ich nehme ein Taxi.No thank you, Lukas, I'll take a taxi.
- LukasAlles klar, komm gut nach Hause zurückkehren!All right, get back home safely!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
