to return / to give back
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to return
To give something back to someone that you borrowed, received, or took from them. This also includes returning purchased goods to a store.
Ich muss dir dein Buch morgen unbedingt zurückgeben.
I absolutely have to return your book to you tomorrow.
to return
To return or repay something, often a negative action or remark. It can also be a positive gesture.
Er hat die Beleidigung sofort zurückgegeben, anstatt sie zu ignorieren.
He immediately returned the insult instead of ignoring it.
to throw up
A euphemistic, colloquial expression for vomiting or throwing up.
Nach der Karussellfahrt musste er sein Mittagessen zurückgeben.
After the carousel ride, he had to throw up his lunch.
'Zurückgeben' (to return / to give back) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück-' comes at the end in a main clause, while it stays attached to the verb in a subordinate clause.
Er gibt mir das Geld morgen zurück.
He will give me the money back tomorrow.
The verb is built very logically from the adverb 'zurück' (back) and the verb 'geben' (to give). The literal meaning is 'to give something in the opposite direction.'
Kannst du mir bitte meinen Stift zurückgeben?
Could you please give me my pen back?
The verb is typically used with a person in the dative (to whom one gives something) and a thing in the accusative (what one gives).
Ich gebe dir das Buch nächste Woche zurück.
I'll give you the book back next week.
In this meaning, 'zurückgeben' (to give back/throw up) is a euphemism, meaning a softened and indirect paraphrase for 'sich übergeben' (to vomit). It is used more colloquially.
Dem Kind wurde auf der langen Autofahrt schlecht und es musste alles zurückgeben.
The child felt sick on the long car ride and had to throw everything up.
to hand over / to vomit
Both expressions can refer to expelling stomach contents. Sich übergeben is the neutral standard term, while zurückgeben is used for this meaning only as a colloquial euphemism. In a factual statement, sich übergeben is appropriate; in a more casual or minimizing statement, zurückgeben may be used.
Wegen der starken Übelkeit musste Maria in der Nacht ihr Essen zurückgeben.
Because of her severe nausea, Maria had to throw up her food during the night.
Wegen der starken Übelkeit musste sich Maria in der Nacht übergeben.
Because of her severe nausea, Maria had to vomit during the night.
