Skip to Content

Je n’en reviens pas (I can’t believe it)

Je n’en reviens pas (I can’t believe it)

This lesson explains how to use the common French expression “Je n’en reviens pas”, which translates literally to “I’m not coming back from it” and means “I can’t believe it”.

Je n’en reviens pas.

I can’t believe it.

Je n'en reviens pas - I can't believe it.

Explanation

This expression uses the verb revenir, which means to come back. For example, “je reviens de la plage (I’m coming back the beach). The relative pronoun en is used given that the verb is follow by the preposition de. The en is replacing the thing or event which find surprising.

Example sentences

This first sentence uses dingue, which is synonymous for fou/folle (crazy).

C’est dingue, je n’en reviens pas !

That’s crazy! I can’t believe it!

The following two sentences use the present and past subjunctive mood, which I explain very clearly in this lesson.

Je n’en reviens pas que tu partes avant nous !

I can’t believe you’re leaving before us!

Je n’en reviens pas qu’il ait raté l’examen.

I can’t believe he failed the exam.

Related lessons

French expressions

author avatar
David Issokson
David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

David Issokson

David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

See all posts by