verb
to go back, to decrease (to decline)
A2
Means "to go back" and "to decrease". It's a separable, non‑reflexive strong verb that uses sein as auxiliary in the perfect (ich bin zurückgegangen). Irregular preterite stem ging and participle zurückgegangen. Often used both for physical return and for declines (numbers, prices).
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Ich bin ins Büro zurückgegangen.
I went back to the office.
Sie ging zurück in die Küche.
She went back into the kitchen.
Die Verkaufszahlen sind dieses Jahr zurückgegangen.
Sales have declined this year.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture someone walking backwards down a path — they 'go back' (gehen zurück).
sounds like 'zoo-rick-gayn' — 'zurück' (back) + 'gehen' (to go)
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Zurückgehen is separable (zurück + gehen). As a motion verb it normally uses 'sein' in perfect tenses (ist zurückgegangen). It also has a figurative meaning 'to decrease' (e.g., Zahlen gehen zurück). Note: Personal passive forms (e.g. 'ich werde zurückgegangen') are ungrammatical; if an impersonal passive is needed, use forms like 'Es wird zurückgegangen'. | Personal passive forms are not applicable; use impersonal passive where needed.