Zurückbringen

Zurückbringen is a German separable verb meaning to bring something back to the place where it belongs or to its owner. It is used when an item is returned after borrowing, lending, or after use, and it often implies movement toward a previous location or to the person who originally had possession of the item.

Grammar and forms: Zurückbringen is separable, so in present tense the prefix splits off and appears at the end of the clause. Examples: Ich bringe das Buch zurück. Du bringst den Mantel zurück. In past tenses the past participle is zurückgebracht and the auxiliary verb is haben: Ich habe das Buch zurückgebracht. Ich brachte den Mantel zurück. The imperative forms are Bring das Buch zurück! or Bringen Sie das Buch zurück! The verb accepts a direct object (the item) and, optionally, a destination or recipient (to whom or where the item should go).

Usage notes: Zurückbringen emphasizes the act of transporting something back to its original place or to its owner. It is closely related to, but not always interchangeable with, zurückgeben. Zurückgeben tends to highlight returning the item to the owner or lender (the person), whereas zurückbringen focuses more on the return journey to a place or rightful owner, especially when the item is moved again to its usual location.

Examples: Ich bringe das Buch heute zurück. Wir bringen die DVD zurück in die Bibliothek. Er brachte den Wagen gestern zurück. Diese Nuance can vary by context and regional usage.

Etymology and related terms: The word combines zurück- (back, again) with bringen (to bring). Related verbs include zurückgeben (to give back to the owner) and zurückkehren (to return to a place or origin oneself).