je reviendrai
The English phrase "I will return" is expressed in French as je reviendrai.
This phrase is a statement used to indicate that the speaker intends to come back to a place.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the subject pronoun je (I) and the first-person singular future tense of the verb revenir (to come back). The verb revenir is a compound of the prefix re- (again) and venir (to come), which literally means "to come back".
Which one should you use?
je reviendrai uses the future tense and is used for a more distant or certain future event. In contrast, je reviendrais uses the conditional mood and means "I would return", which implies that the return depends on a certain condition.
How does it change in a sentence?
While je reviendrai is the future tense, French speakers often use the present tense je reviens to express a near-future intention, such as "I'll be right back".
Did you know?
- The verb revenir is often used in the phrase revenir en arrière, which means to go back in time or to backtrack on a decision.
- The word je is a linguistic survivor from the Classical Latin word egō, which was the standard way to say 'I' over two thousand years ago.
- While je reviendrai sounds formal, it can also carry a heavy, dramatic weight in French literature, often used by characters making a solemn vow to return to a homeland or a lover.
Examples in context
- Je reviendrai dans deux semaines.I will return in two weeks.This sentence shows how to use je reviendrai to indicate a specific timeframe.Tatoeba #3923164 by Rovo, translation #10268778 by glossboss
- Je ne sais pas quand je reviendrai.I don't know when I will return.This sentence shows how to use je reviendrai when the timing of the return is unknown.Tatoeba #7701619 by Maxence, translation #4771248 by cairnhead
- Je reviendrai à la maison avant la nuit.I will return to the house before dark.This sentence shows how to use je reviendrai to specify a destination and a time of return.Tatoeba #1470125 by Aiji, translation #28434 by Dejo
- Je reviendrai pour finaliser les détails de ce contrat.I will return to finalize the details of this contract.
- Je vais revenir dès que possible pour discuter de ce sujet important avec vous.I will return as soon as possible to discuss this important subject with you.
- Je promets de revenir avant la fin de la semaine pour conclure cette affaire.I promise to return before the end of the week to conclude this business.
- Je reviens, ne t'inquiète pas, je vais juste chercher les clés de la voiture.I'm coming back, don't worry, I'm just going to get the car keys.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo is leaving a café while Emma is working.
- HugoJe reviendrai demain pour déjeuner.I will return tomorrow for lunch.
- EmmaD'accord, Hugo, à demain !Okay, Hugo, see you tomorrow!
- HugoJe reviendrai très vite, promis.I will return very soon, I promise.
- EmmaOn se voit bientôt alors.See you soon then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
