Retourne (en. Return)

[ʁə.tuʁn]

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
verb
To bring something back to its starting point.
He returns to Paris after his trip.
Il retourne à Paris après son voyage.
To change the position of something by turning it over.
Turn the page to read the rest.
Retourne la page pour lire la suite.
To react or respond in a surprising manner.
She turned the situation in her favor.
Elle a retourné la situation en sa faveur.

Etymology

From Latin 'retornare', which means 'to return'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to change sides
To change one’s opinion or loyalty quickly.
retourner sa veste
to return home
To return home or to one’s starting point.
retourner au bercail
to turn the question around
To pose a question in response to another.
retourner la question
to turn out one's pockets
To empty one’s pockets to show that one has no money left.
retourner les poches
to go back to square one
To go back to a previous state or position.
retourner à la case départ

Related Words

return
Action of coming back.
retour
reversal
Action of turning something over.
retournement
returnable
That can be turned over.
retournable

Slang Meanings

To turn over like a pancake
He changed his mind so much that it’s like he turned over like a pancake.
Il a tellement changé d'avis qu'on dirait qu'il retourne comme une crêpe.
To be turned upside down
After that experience, he’s completely turned upside down.
Après cette expérience, il est complètement retourné.
To have one’s mind turned upside down
That movie completely turned my mind upside down.
Ce film m’a complètement retourné le cerveau.