Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to come back" in Italian: tornare
tornare
To come back in Italian is tornare (tor-NAH-reh). Present: torno, torni, torna, torniamo. You return a + place: torno a casa, torniamo a Roma.
End of evening
Torno a casa verso mezzanotte.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce tornare
Say it
tor-NAH-reh
/torˈna.re/
Tornare stresses NAH: tor-NAH-reh. Torno is TOR-noh.
"to come back" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| tornare | to come back / return Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| torno / torni / torna | I return / you return / he-she returns Present singular. | Present singular. |
| torniamo | we come back Group. | Group. |
| tornare a casa | to come back home Everyday phrase. | Everyday phrase. |
How to use tornare in real life
- 1End of evening
Torno a casa verso mezzanotte.
I'm coming back home around midnight.
Torno a casa.
- 2Travel plans
Torniamo lunedì con il treno delle nove.
We come back Monday on the nine o'clock train.
Torniamo.
- 3Shop errand
Torno subito: prendo solo il pane.
I'll be right back: I'm just getting bread.
Torno subito.
Mistakes English speakers make with tornare
Incorrect: Io tornare domani.
Correct: Torno domani.
Conjugate: torno.
Incorrect: Torno in casa tardi.
Correct: Torno a casa tardi.
Home usually takes a: a casa.
Good to know
Torno subito is the classic leave-the-table line. Friends also ask quando torni? when someone travels—answer with a day, not a vague soon.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Leaving a party early
ChatPal
Resti ancora o torni a casa?
Are you staying longer or coming back home?
You
Torno ora: domani lavoro presto.
I'm coming back now: I work early tomorrow.
ChatPal
Ok. Messaggia quando torni sana e salva.
Ok. Message when you get back safe.
You
Certo. Domani torniamo qui per il brunch?
Sure. Tomorrow shall we come back here for brunch?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to come back" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to come back" in Italian
Tornare or ritornare?
Both mean come back; tornare is shorter and very common.
How do I say I'll be right back?
Torno subito.
Past tense?
Sono tornato/a.
Come back to Rome?
Torno a Roma.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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