German word

zurück

Pronunciation

IPA/tsuˈʁʏk/

Meaning

  • adverbback

Example

Ich bin gleich zurück.

I'll be right back.

Illustration for zurück (back)

More examples

Er kommt bald zurück.

He'll be back soon.

Core concept

A person leaves a place briefly and then returns to the same place or condition.

Common phrases

  • bald zurück

    back soon

  • sofort zurück

    back immediately

  • wieder zurück

    back again

Similar words

wieder: Again or once more, showing that an action or state is repeated.
heim: Toward home or one's usual place of residence.
weg: Away from a place, so that someone or something is no longer there.

Definition in German

Anzeigt, dass jemand oder etwas an einen früheren Ort oder in einen vorherigen Zustand zurückkehrt.

Word origin

The adverb zurück developed from zu and rück, with rück referring to the back in an old Germanic formation related to Rücken.

Usage tips

  • A destination commonly follows zurück with nach or in, as in "zurück nach Berlin" and "zurück in den alten Zustand."

Other meanings

  • backwardsadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word