French · Real conversations
How to say “Let's turn back.” in French
Suggest returning in the direction you came from.
On fait demi-tour.
Let's turn back.
Make it a clear proposal that the other person can respond to.
Use it in three situations
A changed walking plan
On fait demi-tour.
Let's turn back.
At a closed path
Il commence à faire nuit. Faisons demi-tour.
It's getting dark. Let's turn back.
After deciding to return
Faisons demi-tour avant qu'il pleuve.
Let's turn back before it rains.
What to watch for
Turning back is different from merely turning left or right.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine outdoor plans. Say this in French: It's getting dark. Let's turn back.
Reveal a sample reply
Il commence à faire nuit. Faisons demi-tour.
It's getting dark. Let's turn back.
Build a useful exchange
Check a route and agree on a sensible outdoor plan.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
