zurückkommen
to come back
To return to a place or to a person that one has gone away from.
EXAMPLE
Wann kommst du aus dem Urlaub zurück?
When are you coming back from vacation?
zurückkommen
to come back
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Meanings
auf etwas zurückkommen
to come back to
To take up and discuss a topic, question, or offer again at a later time.
EXAMPLE
Das ist ein wichtiger Punkt, ich möchte später darauf zurückkommen.
That is an important point; I would like to come back to it later.
zurückkommen
to come back
To appear or occur again after an absence or an end, often in relation to feelings, memories, or problems.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Gespräch kamen all die alten Zweifel wieder zurück.
After the conversation, all the old doubts came back again.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zurückkommen' (to come back) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'zurück' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme heute Abend spät zurück.
I am coming back late this evening.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'kommen' (to come) describes movement, the perfect tense of 'zurückkommen' (to come back) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Sie ist gestern von ihrer Geschäftsreise zurückgekommen.
She came back from her business trip yesterday.
Typical collocations
When referring to returning to a place, the verb is often combined with prepositions like 'aus' (from / out of), 'von' (from), or 'nach' (to): 'aus dem Urlaub zurückkommen' (to come back from vacation), 'von der Arbeit zurückkommen' (to come back from work), 'nach Hause zurückkommen' (to come back home).
EXAMPLE
Wir sind gerade erst aus Italien zurückgekommen.
We have only just come back from Italy.
Fixed preposition
If you want to bring up a topic again later, you use the fixed expression 'auf etwas zurückkommen' (to come back to something). The thing you come back to is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Können wir später auf Ihre Frage zurückkommen?
Can we come back to your question later?
Abstract return
In this figurative meaning, 'zurückkommen' (to come back) is often used for abstract things like feelings, memories, doubts, or pain that return.
EXAMPLE
Langsam kam die Erinnerung an den Unfall zurück.
Slowly, the memory of the accident came back.
Compare with
zurückkommen vs zurückkehren
to return
Zurückkehren and zurückkommen both refer to returning to a place one was previously at. Zurückkommen is the neutral everyday choice. Zurückkehren has the same basic meaning, but often sounds more formal or more typical of written language.
zurückkommen
Wir kommen am Freitag wieder nach Berlin zurück.
We're coming back to Berlin on Friday.
zurückkehren
Laut Reisebericht wird die Gruppe am Freitag nach Berlin zurückkehren.
According to the travel report, the group will return to Berlin on Friday.
In real life
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