This short guide explains when to use revenir and retourner by focusing on whether you think from the perspective of the speaker or of another place, and by giving quick examples for each.
Revenir
Use revenir when someone comes back to the place where the speaker (or narrator) is or to a place considered as home or base. It emphasizes a return to the speaker's point of view.
Examples
Expressions
I came back from Paris last night.
| French Expression | English Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| ✋ Je reviens. | I'll be right back. | |
| 🔙 Revenir sur sa décision. | To go back on one’s decision. | |
| 🧠 Revenir à l’essentiel. | To get back to the basics. | |
| 🗣️ Revenir topic. | To return to the topic. |
Retourner
Use retourner when someone goes back to a place that is not necessarily where the speaker is, focusing on the movement to that place rather than a return to the speaker's location.
Examples
Expressions
| French Expression | English Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| 🔄 Retourner sa veste. | To change sides (figurative). | |
| 🏠 Retourner chez soi. | To go back home. | |
| 📑 Retourner un document. | To flip over a document. | |
| 🎬 Retourner une scène. | To reshoot a scene. |
Résumé
In short, use revenir to come back to the speaker's place or perspective, and use retourner to go back to another place. Think about where the action is anchored: at the speaker (use revenir) or at an external location (use retourner).
Terms Related
Learn related verbs like partir (to leave), venir (to come), and aller (to go) to describe movements more precisely in context.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025