Revenir, retourner, and rentrer are three French verbs that all translate to "to return" in English. While they share a similar meaning, each verb is used in different contexts and has its own nuance. Understanding these differences is key to using them correctly in conversation and writing.
Basic Meanings
Revenir
- Meaning: To come back to the place where the speaker is.
- Origin: Comes from venir (to come) with the prefix re- (again).
- Usage: Implies returning to the current location or the place of reference.
Retourner
- Meaning: To go back to a place where the person was before.
- Origin: From tourner (to turn), with the prefix re- (again), meaning "to turn back."
- Usage: Focuses on going back to a previous location, not necessarily where the speaker is.
What is the focus of the verb 'retourner' in French?
Going back to a place where the person was before.
'Retourner' focuses on the action of going back to a previous location where the subject had been, without necessarily involving the speaker's current position.
Rentrer
- Meaning: To go back inside a place, usually home or an indoor location.
- Origin: From entrer (to enter), with the prefix re- (again).
- Usage: Implies returning indoors or returning home.
Contexts and Examples
Revenir
Used when the subject returns to the speaker's location or point of reference.*
- Je reviens dans cinq minutes. (I'm coming back in five minutes.)
- Elle est revenue de Paris hier. (She came back from Paris yesterday.)
- Nous sommes revenus au bureau après déjeuner. (We came back to the office after lunch.)
Retourner
Used when the subject goes back to a place they were before, regardless of the speaker's location.*
- Il est retourné à l'école. (He went back to school.)
- Je retourne au magasin pour un remboursement. (I'm going back to the store for a refund.)
- Elle est retournée en France l'année dernière. (She went back to France last year.)
What is the focus of the verb 'retourner' in French?
Going back to a place where the person was before.
'Retourner' focuses on the action of going back to a previous location where the subject had been, without necessarily involving the speaker's current position.
Rentrer
Used when the subject returns indoors or goes back home.*
- Je rentre à la maison tard ce soir. (I'm going back home late tonight.)
- Ils sont rentrés avant la tombée de la nuit. (They came back before nightfall.)
- Rentre dans la maison, il fait froid dehors ! (Go back inside the house; it's cold outside!)
Special Cases and Nuances
Revenir
- Often used with prepositions like de (from) to indicate the origin of return.
- Implies a completed round trip back to the starting point.
Retourner
- Can also mean "to turn something over" or "to flip," depending on context.
- Doesn't imply remaining at the place — the focus is on the action of going back.
What is the focus of the verb 'retourner' in French?
Going back to a place where the person was before.
'Retourner' focuses on the action of going back to a previous location where the subject had been, without necessarily involving the speaker's current position.
Rentrer
- Commonly used in daily life to indicate going back home or indoors.
- Used in contexts like "rentrer à l'université" (to return to university) or "rentrer les chaises" (to bring in the chairs).
Summary
| Verb | Meaning | Key Context | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenir | To come back (to the speaker's place) | Returning to the point of reference/speaker | Je reviens bientôt. |
| Retourner | To go back (to a previous place) | Going back to a place you were before | Je retourne au bureau. |
| Rentrer | To go back inside / go home | Returning indoors or to one's home | Je rentre à la maison. |
Understanding these differences will help you choose the right verb when expressing the idea of "returning" in French.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
