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👉 Être expressions (hub) »
Level A2 (Upper Beginner)
Published March 19, 2026 — Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is être de retour, meaning “to be back” or “to have returned.” Learn how to use this common expression when talking about coming back from a trip, vacation, or time away.
📘 Être de retour meaning in French
Être de retour is a French expression meaning “to be back” or “to have returned.” It is used when someone comes back from a place such as a trip, vacation, or journey. In everyday conversation, French speakers commonly use this expression to talk about returning home, coming back to work, or arriving again after being away for a period of time.
🎧 Être de retour pronunciation in French
The pronunciation of être de retour is /ɛtʁ də ʁətuʁ/ (IPA), which sounds roughly like “eh-tr duh ruh-toor.”
📝 Être de retour usage examples
Marie est enfin de retour de Paris.
Marie is finally back from Paris.
Je suis de retour de mes vacances.
I am back from my vacation.
Es-tu déjà de retour de ton voyage ?
Are you already back from your trip?
Nous serons de retour lundi prochain.
We will be back next Monday.
Être is an essential verb meaning “to be” and is used in many phrases and idioms.
👉 See also: Être expressions »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- revenir — to come back
- rentrer — to return (home)
- être revenu(e) — to have come back
- être rentré(e) — to have returned home
- être de retour chez soi — to be back home
- être de retour au travail — to be back at work
- être de retour en ville — to be back in town
- faire son retour — to make a return / comeback
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👉 Être expressions »
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