In 15 Seconds
- Means to return to a place or person again.
- It is a separable verb: 'wieder' often goes to the end.
- Expresses loyalty to shops, restaurants, or friends.
Meaning
It simply means to return to a place or visit someone again. It is the friendly way to say you enjoyed yourself and plan to show up once more.
Key Examples
3 of 6Leaving a great restaurant
Das Essen war fantastisch, wir kommen sicher wieder!
The food was fantastic, we will surely come again!
Running a quick errand
Ich habe mein Handy vergessen, ich komme gleich wieder.
I forgot my phone, I'll be right back.
Ending a business meeting
Es war ein produktives Gespräch, ich würde gerne wiederkommen.
It was a productive talk, I would like to come again.
Cultural Background
The 'Stammgast' (regular) is a pillar of German social life. Saying 'Ich komme wieder' is a way to start the journey toward becoming a regular at a local 'Kneipe'. In Vienna, coffee house culture is built on 'wiederkommen'. It is common for waiters to recognize regulars and have their 'usual' ready before they even sit down. Punctuality is key. If you say you will 'wiederkommen' at 2:00 PM, being there at 2:05 PM is considered quite rude. In German business culture, 'wiederkommen' to a negotiation table signals that the previous round was productive, even if no deal was signed yet.
The Restaurant Compliment
Saying 'Wir kommen wieder' is often better than a big tip in small family-run German gasthofs.
Separable Verb Trap
Always remember to kick the 'wieder' to the very end. 'Ich komme morgen wieder mit meinem Bruder' is correct.
In 15 Seconds
- Means to return to a place or person again.
- It is a separable verb: 'wieder' often goes to the end.
- Expresses loyalty to shops, restaurants, or friends.
What It Means
Wiederkommen is your go-to word for returning. It is about physical movement back to a spot. Think of it as the 'sequel' to your first visit. You use it when you like a cafe. You use it when you visit a friend. It signals that the first time was good. It is a very positive, forward-looking word.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb in German. That means the wieder part often jumps to the end. In a simple sentence, you say: Ich komme morgen wieder. See how wieder moved? If you use a helper verb like kann or will, it stays together. For example: Ich will bald wiederkommen. It is easy to use once you spot the pattern. Just remember to split it for basic statements.
When To Use It
Use it at your favorite bakery. Tell the baker: Ich komme gerne wieder. It is perfect for ending a nice date. You can say: Darf ich wiederkommen? to be sweet. Use it in business when a meeting went well. It shows you are interested in a long-term connection. It is also great for quick errands. If you forgot your wallet, say: Ich komme gleich wieder.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for returning an object. If you take a shirt back to a store, use zurückgeben. Wiederkommen is only for people or places. Do not use it for 'coming back' to a conversation topic. For that, Germans use zurückkommen. Also, avoid it if you are moving back to a city permanently. In that case, zurückziehen is much better.
Cultural Background
Germans value loyalty and 'Stammgäste' (regular customers). Saying you will wiederkommen is a high compliment to a business. It is more than just a polite phrase. It is a promise of future business. In small villages, being someone who 'wiederkommt' makes you part of the community. It turns a stranger into a familiar face.
Common Variations
You will often hear zurückkommen. That is more about the act of returning from somewhere. Wiederkommen feels more like a choice to visit again. You might also hear vorbeikommen. That means to 'stop by' or 'drop in'. If you want to see someone again, wiedersehen is the classic choice. But for places, wiederkommen is the king.
Usage Notes
The verb is neutral and safe for all situations. Just watch the separable prefix 'wieder'—it loves to sit at the end of the sentence.
The Restaurant Compliment
Saying 'Wir kommen wieder' is often better than a big tip in small family-run German gasthofs.
Separable Verb Trap
Always remember to kick the 'wieder' to the very end. 'Ich komme morgen wieder mit meinem Bruder' is correct.
Polite Refusal
If you don't want to return, just say 'Danke, tschüss' instead of lying about coming back. Germans value honesty.
Seasons and Cycles
Use 'wiederkommen' for anything that happens every year, like Christmas or your birthday.
Examples
6Das Essen war fantastisch, wir kommen sicher wieder!
The food was fantastic, we will surely come again!
A common way to compliment the staff.
Ich habe mein Handy vergessen, ich komme gleich wieder.
I forgot my phone, I'll be right back.
Using 'gleich' makes it mean 'immediately'.
Es war ein produktives Gespräch, ich würde gerne wiederkommen.
It was a productive talk, I would like to come again.
Shows professional interest in future collaboration.
Es war so schön heute! Darf ich bald wiederkommen?
It was so nice today! May I come again soon?
A warm and polite way to ask for another visit.
Keine Sorge, ich komme nicht so schnell wieder!
Don't worry, I won't be back so quickly!
Used jokingly after overstaying a welcome.
Bitte versprich mir, dass du bald wiederkommst.
Please promise me that you will come back soon.
Expresses a deep desire to see the person again.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'wiederkommen' in the present tense.
Ich ___ morgen ___. (I am coming back tomorrow.)
In a main clause, 'kommen' is conjugated in the second position and 'wieder' goes to the end.
Which auxiliary verb is used with 'wiederkommen' in the Perfekt tense?
Er ___ gestern wiedergekommen.
'Wiederkommen' is a verb of movement and therefore uses 'sein'.
Complete the dialogue.
Kellner: 'Hat es Ihnen geschmeckt?' - Gast: 'Ja, sehr! Wir ___ ___ ___.'
This is the standard polite way to say you'll return to a restaurant.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'Die 80er Jahre Mode kommt wieder.'
'Wiederkommen' is used for things that become popular again.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'wiederkommen'
Social
- • Visiting friends
- • Parties
- • Meetings
Places
- • Restaurants
- • Shops
- • Cities
Nature
- • Seasons
- • Migratory birds
- • Sunlight
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ___ morgen ___. (I am coming back tomorrow.)
In a main clause, 'kommen' is conjugated in the second position and 'wieder' goes to the end.
Er ___ gestern wiedergekommen.
'Wiederkommen' is a verb of movement and therefore uses 'sein'.
Kellner: 'Hat es Ihnen geschmeckt?' - Gast: 'Ja, sehr! Wir ___ ___ ___.'
This is the standard polite way to say you'll return to a restaurant.
Sentence: 'Die 80er Jahre Mode kommt wieder.'
'Wiederkommen' is used for things that become popular again.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or with your boss.
Yes, but 'nach Hause kommen' or 'heimkommen' is more specific.
'Wiederkommen' emphasizes doing the action again (returning to a place you liked), while 'zurückkommen' emphasizes the direction (returning to where you started).
Yes, in the perfect tense: 'Ich bin wiedergekommen'.
Yes, 'Er ist in mein Leben wiedergekommen' is poetic but correct.
Use 'Ich komme gleich wieder.'
No, 'Wiederkunft' is a very formal noun, often used in religious contexts (The Second Coming).
No, use 'zurückrufen'.
People will understand you, but it will sound very 'foreign'.
Yes, for returning to a topic or a meeting.
Related Phrases
zurückkommen
similarTo come back
wiederkehren
synonymTo return/reoccur
vorbeikommen
similarTo drop by
heimkommen
specialized formTo come home
wiedersehen
builds onTo see again
