French Phrase
Tu reviens quand ?
Meaning
This is a common, informal way to ask someone about their return. It uses the present tense of the verb 'revenir' to express a future action, which is a very frequent pattern in spoken French. The word order is relaxed, placing the question word at the end of the sentence for a casual tone.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual settings with friends, family, or people you are on familiar terms with. It is perfect for asking a roommate when they will be home or checking on a friend's return from a trip.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tureviensquand
Tu
The informal singular pronoun for 'you', used with friends, family, and peers.
Reviens
The present tense conjugation of the verb 'revenir' (to come back). In French, the present tense is often used to discuss the immediate future.
Quand
The interrogative adverb meaning 'when'. Placing it at the end of the sentence is a hallmark of casual, spoken French.
🗨In Conversation
Je sors faire quelques courses au supermarché.
I'm going out to do some shopping at the supermarket.
D'accord, tu reviens quand ?
Okay, when are you coming back?
✕Common Mistakes
Tu retournes quand ?
'Retourner' means to go back to a place, while 'revenir' means to come back to where the speaker currently is.
Quand est-ce que tu reviens ?
While grammatically correct, using 'Quand est-ce que' is more formal than the simple 'Tu reviens quand ?' structure.
↔Alternatives
Quand est-ce que tu reviens ?
When are you coming back? (Standard)
Tu rentres quand ?
When are you coming home?
À quelle heure seras-tu de retour ?
At what time will you be back? (Formal)
Cultural Tip
In informal spoken French, it is extremely common to move the question word (like quand, où, or comment) to the end of the sentence. This avoids the need for complex inversion or the 'est-ce que' structure, making the conversation feel more fluid and natural. Using 'tu' also signals a close relationship between the speakers.