01
wiederkommen
to come back
To return to a place where one has already been.
example
Es hat uns hier so gut gefallen, wir kommen nächstes Jahr bestimmt wieder.
We liked it here so much that we'll definitely come back next year.
wiederkommen
to come back / recur
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Wiederkommen' (to come back / recur) is a separable verb. The prefix 'wieder' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme morgen wieder.
I'll come back tomorrow.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'wiederkommen' (to come back / recur) describes movement or a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Bist du schon einmal in diese Stadt wiedergekommen?
Have you ever come back to this city?
Context clues
If the subject is a person, it is usually about returning to a place. If the subject is a feeling, an illness, or an abstract concept, it means 'to appear again' or 'to recur'.
EXAMPLE
Meine Tante ist nach langer Zeit wiedergekommen.
My aunt came back after a long time.
Compare with
wiederkommen vs zurückkehren
to return
'zurückkehren' and 'wiederkommen' can both mean that someone comes to a place where they have been before. 'wiederkommen' often sounds simpler and more personal in everyday language, for example when someone is back again after a short time. 'zurückkehren' sounds a bit more formal or stronger and fits well with journeys, longer absences, or also with a previous state or topic. With feelings, illnesses, or problems, people often say 'wiederkommen' when they occur again. The words can be confused because both have to do with 'coming back again'. As a simple guide: people can 'zurückkehren' or 'wiederkommen' to a place; complaints or memories are more likely to 'wiederkommen'.
wiederkommen
Wenn die Kopfschmerzen wiederkommen, rufe ich die Ärztin an.
If the headaches come back, I'll call the doctor.
zurückkehren
Nach drei Wochen in Spanien kehren wir am Montag nach Hause zurück.
After three weeks in Spain, we return home on Monday.
In real life
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