zurückkehren
/tsuˈʁʏkˌkeːʁən/
To return in German is zurückkehren. Wiktionary also lists zurückkommen.
Meaning: to come or go back (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| zurückkehren | /tsuˈʁʏkˌkeːʁən/ |
| zurückkommen | [t͡suˈʁʏkˌkɔmən] (narrow) |
Both zurückkehren and zurückkommen are used to express the act of coming or going back.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb zurückkehren is composed of the prefix zurück (back) and kehren (to turn/sweep).
Which one should you use?
zurückkehren is often used for more significant or permanent returns, such as returning to a home or a country. In contrast, zurückkommen is used for simple movements, like coming back to a person or a place.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the perfect tense, both zurückkehren and zurückkommen use the auxiliary verb sein.
How do you pronounce it?
/tsuˈʁʏkˌkeːʁən/
Did you know?
- The verb kehren inside zurückkehren also means 'to sweep', meaning the act of returning shares a root with cleaning the floor.
- While zurückkehren implies a return, the simple verb kehren is used in the phrase umkehren to describe the act of doing a U-turn while driving.
- The prefix zurück- is a separable prefix, meaning in a simple sentence the 'zurück' part will often jump to the very end of the clause.
Examples in context
- Wann werdet ihr zurückkehren?When will you return?This sentence is useful for asking about the timing of a return using zurückkehren.Tatoeba #6875446 by landano, translation #707934 by Zifre
- Er wird um vier zurückkommen.He'll return at four.This sentence is useful for describing a scheduled return using zurückkommen.Tatoeba #8875962 by wolfgangth, translation #6293828 by Tangobango
- Er will ins Dorf zurückkehren.He wants to return to the countryside.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to return to a specific location using zurückkehren.Tatoeba #10267207 by sakslane, translation #10275268 by sundown
- Ich werde morgen von meiner Reise zurückkehren.I will return from my trip tomorrow.
- Ich möchte diese Bücher zurückgeben.I would like to return these books.
- Wann kommst du aus dem Urlaub zurück?When are you coming back from vacation?
- Vergiss nicht, mein Buch zurückzubringen.Don't forget to return my book.
- Wann kehren Sie aus Ihrem Urlaub zurück?When will you return from your vacation?
- Kannst du bitte das Buch in die Bibliothek zurückgeben?Could you please return the book to the library?
- Wir sind froh, dass du zurückgekommen bist.We are glad that you have returned.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are talking about a traveler's schedule at home.
- LukasWann wird sie endlich zurückkehren?When will she finally return?
- JuliaVielleicht wird sie morgen zurückkehren.Perhaps she will return tomorrow.
- LukasIch hoffe, dass sie bald zurückkehrt.I hope that she returns soon.
- JuliaLukas, wir müssen einfach warten.Lukas, we just have to wait.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “return” translations and entries zurückkehren, zurückkommen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
