retour en arrière
/ʁə.tuʁ ɑ̃ a.ʁjɛʁ/
The English phrase 'throwback' can be translated into French as retour en arrière.
In French, the term is used to refer to someone or something similar.
Meaning: someone or something similar (noun)
Which one should you use?
For a more informal context, you might use Rétro to describe something that is retro or reminiscent of the past. Conversely, if you are in a formal setting, the phrase Évocation du passé is used to mean a throwback.
How do you pronounce it?
The three-syllable phrase is pronounced /ʁə.tuʁ ɑ̃ a.ʁjɛʁ/.
Did you know?
- When referring to a 'throwback' in the sense of a fashion trend, French speakers often use the term vintage, which is borrowed directly from English.
- French has a specific noun, atavisme, to describe a biological throwback where an ancestral trait reappears after several generations.
- The component en in this phrase is a contraction of different historical paths, one tracing back to the Latin inde meaning 'from thence'.
Examples in context
- Dans cet article, nous allons faire un court retour en arrière pour analyser l'impact de ces politiques économiques.In this article, we will take a brief step back in time to analyze the impact of these economic policies.
- Cette exposition d'art est une puissante évocation du passé industriel de notre ville.This art exhibition is a powerful throwback to the industrial past of our city.
- J'adore cette voiture, elle a un look rétro vraiment cool !I love this car, it has a really cool throwback look!
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are looking at old photos.
- NathanRegarde cette photo de nous deux !Look at this photo of us!
- EmmaOh, c'est un sacré retour en arrière.Oh, that's quite a throwback.
- NathanOn était tellement jeunes à l'époque.We were so young back then.
- EmmaOui, c'était une autre vie.Yes, it was another lifetime.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry retour en arrière, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arrière, en, retour, CC BY-SA 4.0.
