Before you start
Meet zurückkehren
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zurück- + kehren
- zurück-
- back toward a previous place
- kehren
- to turn
Turn back toward where you came from.
So zurückkehren means to return; to come back.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: zurück·kehren
In a main clause the prefix zurück splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseEr kehrt am Montag zurück.He returns on Monday.
Subordinate clauseIch freue mich, dass du zurückkehrst.I’m glad that you’re coming back.
Participle: zurückgekehrtzu-infinitive: zurückzukehren
Forms
How zurückkehren changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | kehre zurück | kehrte zurück |
| du | kehrst zurück | kehrtest zurück |
| er/sie/es | kehrt zurück | kehrte zurück |
| wir | kehren zurück | kehrten zurück |
| ihr | kehrt zurück | kehrtet zurück |
| Sie | kehren zurück | kehrten zurück |
Partizip II zurückgekehrt · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Ich kehre heute Abend nach Hause zurück.I’m returning home this evening.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie ist gestern aus Berlin zurückgekehrt.She returned from Berlin yesterday.Perfekt with sein
- 3Wenn wir zurückkehren, essen wir zusammen.When we return, we’ll eat together.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zurückkehren + der Urlaub
Your challenge
- 1Use zurückkehren in the present tense.
- 2Say that you return after der Urlaub.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She returned to him after the tripdie Reise.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the trainder Zug arrivedankommen, we returned homedas Zuhause.
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Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Because she missedverpassen the busder Bus, she returned to the officedas Büro.
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Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The mander Mann who returned from Berlin is my uncleder Onkel.
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Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We want to return to the hoteldas Hotel before darkdunkel.
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Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He returned earlyfrüh to helphelfen his sisterdie Schwester.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When did you return from the citydie Stadt?
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Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zurückkehren + obwohl + der Regen
Your challenge
- 1Use zurückkehren in the present tense.
- 2Include an obwohl-clause saying the rain is heavy.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Where would you like to return to one day?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with zurückkehren in a Konjunktiv II sentence.
- 2Say where you would like to return one day.