01
zurückholen
to get back
To bring something that you gave away, lost, or lent back into your possession.
example
Ich muss mein Buch, das ich dir geliehen habe, wieder zurückholen.
I need to get back the book that I lent you.
zurückholen
to get back
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Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zurückholen' (to get back/bring back) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück-', which indicates movement back to the starting point, comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich hole mein Fahrrad später bei dir zurück.
I'll get my bike back from your place later.
Context clues
The object of the verb reveals the exact meaning. If it is an object, meaning 1 is meant. If the object is a person, meaning 2 is meant. With abstract things like 'Erinnerungen' (memories) or 'Gefühle' (feelings), meaning 3 is meant.
EXAMPLE
Sie will ihr altes Auto aus der Werkstatt zurückholen.
She wants to get her old car back from the repair shop.
Sentence structure with memories
When it is about memories or feelings, the subject of the sentence is often the trigger (e.g. a song, a place, a smell). The memory itself is the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Lied holt die Erinnerungen an unseren ersten Urlaub zurück.
This song brings back the memories of our first vacation.
Compare with
zurückholen vs wiederholen
to repeat / retrieve
'wiederholen' and 'zurückholen' can mean the same thing in one sense: you bring something that was given away or lost back to yourself. In this sense, 'wiederholen' is separable: 'Ich hole das Buch wieder' (I get the book back). This can confuse learners because 'wiederholen' much more often also means 'to do or say again' and is then not separable. 'zurückholen' is clearer and more natural here when it is about possession or an object. 'wiederholen' in this meaning sounds more like 'etwas wieder holen' (to fetch something again / back).
zurückholen
Herr Richter holt sein Fahrrad aus der Werkstatt zurück.
Mr. Richter gets his bicycle back from the repair shop.
wiederholen
Ich hole meinen Schlüssel später bei der Nachbarin wieder.
I will get my key back from the neighbor later.
In real life
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