The exact lemma appears at position 1,677 in the cited OpenSubtitles-derived Dutch 50k token list. That is a corpus signal, not search volume or a claim that every sense is equally common. Forms, glosses, pronunciation and cited examples are adapted from English Wiktionary via Kaikki under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources and modifications.
How terugkomen is pronounced
IPA: /təˈrʏxˌkoːmə(n)/ · Syllables: te·rug·ko·men
Pronunciation can vary by region and speaking context. Treat the transcription as a compact reference, then compare it with current native audio and practise the verb inside a phrase rather than as an isolated sound.
What terugkomen means
to come back, to return
to be echoed in
to go back on; to renege on
to revisit (a topic); to pay renewed attention to
The English gloss identifies a sense, not a one-word substitution that works in every sentence. Check the object, preposition, reflexive pronoun or separable element in the Dutch example before transferring the verb to a new situation.
Terugkomen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | kom terug |
| Present | jij (subject first) | komt terug |
| Present | hij/zij/het | komt terug |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | komen terug |
| Simple past | singular | kwam terug |
| Simple past | plural | kwamen terug |
| Past participle | — | teruggekomen |
The table shows the standard subject-first jij anchor. Inversion after jij and formal u can require a different surface form. For separable verbs, the cited forms may already show the element in its natural main-clause position. In perfect constructions, choose the auxiliary required by the actual meaning and construction; do not attach hebben or zijn mechanically.
Translated terugkomen examples
Zijn liefde voor de natuur komt terug in zijn schilderijen.
His love for nature is echoed in his paintings.
Klager stelt dat werkgever op de gemaakte afspraak is teruggekomen.
The complainant states that the employer has reneged on the agreement made.
We zullen in het volgende hoofdstuk nog uitgebreid op deze kwestie terugkomen.
We will revisit this issue in detail in the next chapter.
These examples are citation-backed language data. Use them to notice the verb's partners and sentence position. Then change only one detail at a time—subject, time, place or object—so that your next sentence stays grammatical and remains connected to a real communicative purpose.
Turn the reference into speaking practice
- Read the first example once and identify the finite verb, subject and any required particle or preposition.
- Build a new present-tense message with kom terug or komt terug and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with kwam terug; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use teruggekomen in a complete result message after checking the correct auxiliary for that construction.
Record all four messages without restarting. Listen once for meaning and sentence order, then once for the target form. Correct only the first error that changes meaning or blocks the listener, and repeat the sentence with one new detail. This creates retrieval practice rather than table recitation.
Self-check
- The chosen sense matches the situation.
- The finite form agrees with the subject.
- The time marker and verb tense tell the same timeline.
- Any separable element, reflexive pronoun, object or fixed preposition is present.
- The sentence contains enough detail for another person to respond.
Questions about terugkomen
What does terugkomen mean?
to come back, to return; to be echoed in; to go back on; to renege on; to revisit (a topic); to pay renewed attention to.
What is the past tense of terugkomen?
The cited standard singular anchor is kwam terug and the plural anchor is kwamen terug.
What is the past participle of terugkomen?
The cited past participle is teruggekomen. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use terugkomen in a recorded answer
Dutch Speaking Exam Coach provides original speaking tasks, recording and focused AI coaching. One lesson and three assessments are free; a subscription is optional.
Open in the App Store