French verb

Conjugation of retourner

The French verb retourner means "to return". Below are its 7 tenses as tables, 4 example sentences and answers to 3 common questions. Press play next to a present tense form or an example to hear it.

Meaning
to return
Type
Regular -er verb
Auxiliary
être
Present participle
retournant
Past participle
retourné
Quick answer

The present tense of retourner is je retourne, tu retournes, il/elle retourne, nous retournons, vous retournez, ils/elles retournent. It is a regular -er verb, so every tense takes the standard -er endings. The tables below cover 7 tenses, from the present to the imperative. Its present participle is retournant and its past participle is retourné.

Present tense of retourner

Present Présent
je retourne
tu retournes
il/elle retourne
nous retournons
vous retournez
ils/elles retournent

More tenses of retourner

Compound past Passé composé
je suis retourné
tu es retourné
il/elle est retourné
nous sommes retournés
vous êtes retournés
ils/elles sont retournés
Imperfect Imparfait
je retournais
tu retournais
il/elle retournait
nous retournions
vous retourniez
ils/elles retournaient
Future Futur simple
je retournerai
tu retourneras
il/elle retournera
nous retournerons
vous retournerez
ils/elles retourneront
Conditional Conditionnel présent
je retournerais
tu retournerais
il/elle retournerait
nous retournerions
vous retourneriez
ils/elles retourneraient
Present subjunctive Subjonctif présent
que je retourne
que tu retournes
qu'il/elle retourne
que nous retournions
que vous retourniez
qu'ils/elles retournent
Imperative Impératif
tu retourne
nous retournons
vous retournez

Notes on retourner

Retourner is regular. It follows the regular -er pattern, with forms such as retourne, retournons, and retournerai.

Meet retourner in real French books

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Example sentences with retourner

  • Je retourne au bureau après le déjeuner. I return to the office after lunch.
  • Nous sommes retournés chez nous hier soir. We returned home last night.
  • Elle retournait souvent dans ce petit café. She often returned to that small café.
  • Vous retournerez demain après votre rendez-vous. You will return tomorrow after your appointment.
rentrer to return home revenir to come back partir to leave, depart

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Frequently asked questions

Is retourner a regular French verb?

Yes, retourner is regular. Its forms follow the regular -er pattern shown in the table.

What are the present tense forms of retourner?

The forms are retourne, retournes, retourne, retournons, retournez, and retournent.

What are the participles and auxiliary of retourner?

The present participle is retournant and the past participle is retourné. The auxiliary shown is être.