AdverbA1

zurück

back (to a place) · back (giving something) · back (in response)

zurück means 'back' and is used to talk about returning to a place, giving something back, or moving in a reverse direction. It is a very common and neutral word in everyday German.

What zurück means

  1. back (to a place) — when someone returns to a place they were before
  2. back (giving something) — when something is returned to its owner
  3. back (in response) — when someone reacts to an action, like hitting back

Heard in real German videos

Lines where zurück was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.

  • Wir wollen nur die Mütze zurück.We just want the hat back.
  • Entschuldige bitte, ich bin gleich zurück.Excuse me, I'll be right back.
  • Komm sofort zurück, Spongebob.Come back right now, Spongebob.

Example sentences

  • Ich komme gleich zurück.I'll be right back.
  • Gib mir mein Buch zurück.Give me my book back.
  • Wir gehen zurück nach Hause.We are going back home.

Common phrases

  • hin und zurückthere and back, round trip
  • zurück seinto be back

The mistake English speakers make

English speakers often confuse zurück with wieder. zurück means 'back' in the sense of returning to a place or giving back, while wieder means 'again'. For example, 'Ich komme zurück' means 'I'm coming back', but 'Ich komme wieder' means 'I'm coming again'.

Don’t confuse it with

  • wieder — wieder means 'again', while zurück means 'back' in the sense of returning.

Questions learners ask

What is the difference between zurück and wieder?

zurück means 'back' (returning to a place or giving back), while wieder means 'again'. For example, 'Ich komme zurück' = 'I'm coming back', but 'Ich komme wieder' = 'I'm coming again'.

How do you say 'round trip' in German?

You say 'Hin- und Rückfahrt' or simply 'hin und zurück'.