retourner

Word: retourner

Language: French

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Meaning

retourner is a French verb that has the following primary meanings:

1. To return; to go back

   • This means going back to a previous place or state.
   • Example: Je vais retourner à la maison. — I am going to return home.

2. To turn over; to flip

   • This refers to physically turning something so its other side is facing up or visible.
   • Example: Retourne la crêpe dans la poêle. — Flip the pancake in the pan.

3. To reverse or invert (figurative use)

   • To change the position, cause of a situation, feelings, or matter dramatically.
   • Example: Cette décision a retourné la situation. — This decision turned the situation around.

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Parts of the word

• re-: a prefix meaning "again" or "back."
• tourner: a verb meaning "to turn."

Together, "retourner" literally means "to turn back" or "to turn again."

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Synonyms

• For "to return":
  • revenir (to come back)
  • rentrer (to get back in)
  • rendre (to give back, return an item)
• For "to flip":
  • basculer (to tilt, swing)
  • renverser (to overturn)
• For "to invert" or "reverse":
  • inverser (invert)
  • changer (to change)

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Antonyms

• For "to return":
  • partir (to leave)
  • aller (to go)
• For "to flip":
  • staying stable, garder (to keep)

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Notes

• It is a regular -er verb and is conjugated accordingly.
• The meaning depends largely on the context in which it is used.
• Sometimes "retourner" can imply physically going back somewhere, or metaphorically returning to a previous topic or feeling.