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
zurückkehren
to return
To go back to a previous state, topic, or earlier activity.
EXAMPLE
Nach der kurzen Pause kehrten alle zur Arbeit zurück.
After the short break, everyone returned to work.
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 zurückgehen
to go back / decline
Zurückkehren and zurückgehen can both express movement to a place one was previously at. Zurückkehren refers to the return as a whole and sounds more formal. Zurückgehen places more emphasis on going again in the direction one came from.
zurückkehren
Nach dem Besuch wird die Ministerin am Abend ins Hotel zurückkehren.
After the visit, the minister will return to the hotel that evening.
zurückgehen
Nach dem Besuch geht die Ministerin zu Fuß zum Hotel zurück.
After the visit, the minister will walk back to the hotel.
In real life
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