A comprehensive guide on the French verbs revenir, retourner, and rentrer, explaining their differences, uses, and examples for mastering 'to return' in French.
Understanding the difference between revenir, retourner, and rentrer is key to mastering how to say "to return" in French. All three verbs involve going back, but they differ based on direction, context, and nuance.
Summary
- Revenir means "to come back" to the place where the speaker is or has been.
- Retourner means "to go back" to a place, often where you were before, from a different location.
- Rentrer means "to return home" or "return inside" a familiar place.
Key Differences
| Aspect | Revenir | Retourner | Rentrer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Meaning | Come back | Go back | Return home/go inside |
| Point of View | Toward speaker's location | Away from speaker, back to a previous place | Usually means going back home or inside |
| Usage Context | General returning to a place (often where speaker is) | Returning to a place from elsewhere | Returning home or re-entering a place |
| Example | Je reviens à midi. (I come back at noon.) | Je retourne à Paris. (I’m going back to Paris.) | Je rentre à 18h. (I’m going home at 6 PM.) |
When to Use Revenir
Use revenir when the subject is coming back to the place where the speaker is or has been. It's about returning to the speaker's location or point of reference.
Examples:
- Je reviens dans cinq minutes. (I’ll be back in five minutes.)
- Elle est revenue de l’école. (She came back from school.)
- On revient toujours ici. (We always come back here.)
When to Use Retourner
Use retourner when the subject is going back to a place they were before, but from a different location. It's about returning to a previous point, not necessarily where the speaker is.
Examples:
- Je retourne à Lyon demain. (I’m going back to Lyon tomorrow.)
- Ils sont retournés au bureau. (They went back to the office.)
- Retourne le livre à la bibliothèque. (Return the book to the library.)
When to Use Rentrer
Use rentrer when returning home or inside a familiar place. It often implies ending the day or going back indoors.
Examples:
- Je rentre tard ce soir. (I’m coming home late tonight.)
- Nous sommes rentrés après la fête. (We returned after the party.)
- Elle est rentrée à la maison. (She went back home.)
Visual Summary
| Verb | Direction | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenir | Back to speaker’s location | Je reviens au bureau. | I’m coming back to the office. |
| Retourner | Back to a previous place | Je retourne à Marseille. | I’m going back to Marseille. |
| Rentrer | Back home/inside | Je rentre à la maison. | I’m returning home. |
Tips for Learners
- If the action is coming back to where you are, use revenir.
- If the action is going back to a place you were before (away from where you are), use retourner.
- If you’re going back home or going back inside, use rentrer.
Common Mistakes
- Saying Je retourne chez moi instead of Je rentre chez moi (better to use rentrer when talking about going home).
- Confusing revenir and retourner in travel context: If you’re coming back to where you are, use revenir; if you’re going back to a different place, use retourner.
Understanding these subtle differences will help you choose the right verb for any situation involving "returning" in French.
What is a common mistake French learners make with these verbs?
Saying 'Je retourne chez moi' instead of 'Je rentre chez moi' when talking about going home.
While 'retourner chez moi' isn’t wrong, 'rentrer chez moi' is more natural because rentrer specifically means 'return home.' This is a common nuance learners miss.
Flashcards (1 of 3)
- Verb: Revenir
- Direction: Back to speaker’s location
- Example: Je reviens au bureau.
- English: I’m coming back to the office.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
