What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je suis de retour literally translates to "I am of return".
Which one should you use?
There are different ways to express this depending on whether you want to describe your current state or your movement. je suis de retour describes the state of having already arrived, whereas je reviens describes the active process of returning or moving back toward a place. You can also use je suis revenu to mean "I have returned" or "I came back", which uses the past tense of the verb revenir.
How does it change in a sentence?
In English, you say "I have returned" using the perfect tense. In French, the expression je suis de retour uses the state of being with être (to be) to express this status. Additionally, if you use the verbal form je suis revenu, note that the form revenu is used for male speakers.
Did you know?
- Because je suis revenu uses the auxiliary verb être instead of avoir, the ending of revenu must change to revenue if the speaker is female.
- In French, the word retour is a 'deverbal', meaning it is a noun that was created directly from the verb retourner ('to return').
- While je suis de retour describes a state, the similar-sounding je reviens can be used to tell someone you will be back in just a few minutes.
Examples in context
- Bonjour Monsieur, je suis de retour de mon congé.Hello sir, I have returned from my leave.
- Salut tout le monde, me voilà de retour après ma longue absence!Hey, everyone, here I am back after my long absence!
- Je suis de retour à la maison.I have returned home.
- Ne t'inquiète pas, je suis de retour.Don't worry, I have returned.
- Enfin, je suis de retour au bureau.Finally, I have returned to the office.
Example conversation
Chloé enters the living room where Nathan is reading.
- ChloéCoucou Nathan, je suis de retour !Hi Nathan, I have returned!
- NathanAh super, tu as passé une bonne journée ?Ah great, did you have a good day?
- ChloéOui, c'était très sympa.Yes, it was very nice.
- NathanJe suis content que tu sois là.I am happy that you are here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, je, retour, suis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
