zurückgehen
to go back
To return to a place one came from.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Spaziergang gehen wir wieder nach Hause zurück.
After the walk, we'll go back home.
zurückgehen
to go back / decline
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Meanings
zurückgehen
to decline
To become less; to decrease in quantity, value, or intensity.
EXAMPLE
Die Verkaufszahlen sind im letzten Quartal stark zurückgegangen.
The sales figures declined sharply in the last quarter.
zurückgehen auf
to go back to
To have one's origin or cause in something.
EXAMPLE
Viele moderne Traditionen gehen auf alte Bräuche zurück.
Many modern traditions go back to old customs.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zurückgehen' (to go back/decline) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück-' stands at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Wann gehst du heute Abend nach Hause zurück?
When are you going back home tonight?
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'zurückgehen' (to go back/decline) describes movement, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Die Touristengruppe ist bereits zum Bus zurückgegangen.
The tourist group has already gone back to the bus.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning 'to have its origin', 'zurückgehen' (to go back to) is always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. This structure is fixed.
EXAMPLE
Der Name der Stadt geht auf einen römischen Kaiser zurück.
The name of the city goes back to a Roman emperor.
Typical subjects
When 'zurückgehen' (to decline) means 'to decrease' or 'to become less', the subject is often an abstract quantity. Typical examples are numbers, prices, interest, or temperature.
EXAMPLE
Die Arbeitslosigkeit ist in diesem Jahr leicht zurückgegangen.
Unemployment has declined slightly this year.
Compare with
zurückgehen vs sinken
to sink / fall
For prices, amounts, or levels, sinken and zurückgehen are often both possible. sinken puts more emphasis on the lower measurable level, while zurückgehen refers more generally to a decrease. sinken is especially suitable when an exact figure is given; zurückgehen is a natural choice for a general trend.
zurückgehen
Der Preis für das Ticket ging im Mai deutlich zurück.
The ticket price declined significantly in May.
sinken
Der Preis für das Ticket sank im Mai auf 20 Euro.
The ticket price fell to 20 euros in May.
In real life
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