How to Say "Go Back" in French

retourner

/ʁə.tuʁ.ne/

The English phrase "go back" can be translated into French using the verb retourner. Wiktionary also lists rentrer.

Meaning: to return to a place (verb)

Ways to say it

“go back” in French
French	IPA
retourner	/ʁə.tuʁ.ne/
rentrer	/ʁɑ̃.tʁe/

The verb is used to express the action of returning to a place.

Use retourner to express going back to a place that is not necessarily your home.

The pronunciation of retourner is /ʁə.tuʁ.ne/. It has 3 syllables.

In English, 'to turn over' means to flip something, but in French, the verb retourner is used for both 'returning to a place' and 'flipping an object' like a pancake.
While both verbs involve returning, you must use rentrer specifically if you are going back to your own home or a place where you live. Using retourner to mean 'returning home' can sound slightly unnatural to a native speaker.
The expression faire demi-tour is often used instead of retourner when someone literally turns their vehicle or body around to go back.

Tu peux y retourner.
You can go back.
This sentence shows how to use retourner.
Tatoeba #5291383 by Aiji, translation #2954410 by CK
Il m'a fallu retourner.
I had to go back.
Tatoeba #2431857 by sacredceltic, translation #2331814 by CK
Tu devrais y retourner.
You should go back there.
Tatoeba #8396017 by Aiji, translation #3354962 by CK
Je vais retourner chez moi
I am going back home
Retournez à votre siège, s'il vous plaît
Please go back to your seat
Je dois revenir à Paris demain
I have to go back to Paris tomorrow
Il est tard, je vais rentrer chez moi
It's late, I'm going back home
Rentrer à l'hôtel après la réunion
Go back to the hotel after the meeting
Retourne chez toi, on se retrouve plus tard
Go back home, we'll meet up later
Retourne à ton poste de travail
Go back to your workstation
Il est tard, rentre chez toi
It's late, go back home
Rentrons ensemble, ça sera plus sympa
Let's go back together, it'll be more fun
Retourne chez toi et récupère-le
Go back home and get it
Rentre quand tu veux, mais tu vas nous manquer
Go back home whenever you want, but we'll miss you
126 more sentences on Tatoeba

Manon and Nathan are visiting a museum.

Manon

Regarde ce tableau, il est magnifique !
Look at this painting, it is magnificent!
Nathan

C'est vrai. On peut y retourner demain ?
That's true. Can we go back there tomorrow?
Manon

Oui, nous pouvons retourner au musée ensemble.
Yes, we can go back to the museum together.
Nathan

Super, je vais réserver les billets.
Great, I will book the tickets.

Sources

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