01
zurückkehren
to return
To come back to a place where one has been before.
example
Nach seiner langen Reise kehrte er endlich wieder in seine Heimat zurück.
After his long journey, he finally returned to his homeland.
zurückkehren
to return
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zurückkehren' (to return) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'zurück' goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Wann kehrst du von deiner Reise zurück?
When are you returning from your trip?
Auxiliary verb in the perfect tense
Because 'zurückkehren' (to return) describes movement or a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Sie ist gestern aus dem Urlaub zurückgekehrt.
She returned from vacation yesterday.
Prepositions for places
When returning to a place, the prepositions 'in' with the accusative or 'nach' are usually used. 'Nach' is used especially with geographical names without an article.
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr kehren wir in unsere alte Heimatstadt zurück.
Next year we'll return to our old hometown.
Preposition for topics
When returning to a topic, an activity, or a state, the preposition 'zu' with the dative is used.
EXAMPLE
Lassen Sie uns zum ursprünglichen Plan zurückkehren.
Let's return to the original plan.
Compare with
zurückkehren vs verlassen
to leave / rely
'verlassen' and 'zurückkehren' form a clear opposite when it comes to places. With 'verlassen', you go away from a place. With 'zurückkehren', you later come back to a place where you have been before. So the difference is in the direction: away from the place or back to the place. 'verlassen' can also refer to people or groups, but the contrast with 'zurückkehren' is especially clear with places.
zurückkehren
Nach drei Wochen Urlaub kehren wir morgen nach Hause zurück.
After three weeks of vacation, we are returning home tomorrow.
verlassen
Die Gäste haben das Restaurant kurz vor Mitternacht verlassen.
The guests left the restaurant shortly before midnight.
In real life
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