rentrer/ʁɑ̃.tʁe/
verb · A2 · Frequency 249
verb
Meanings
to go back, to re-enter
Indicates returning to a place or re-entering somewhere.
to go (back) home, to come (back) home
Specifically refers to returning to one's home.
to get in, to go in, to fit in
Indicates entering a space or being accommodated.
to bring in, to put in
Indicates bringing or putting something into a place.
to score (a goal)
Sports term meaning to score a goal.
to collide (with), to crash (into), to run (into)
Indicates objects colliding or running into something.
Examples
Après la pause, les élèves vont rentrer en classe.
After the break, the students are going back into the classroom.
Je préfère rentrer avant vingt-deux heures.
I prefer to go home before ten p.m.
Cette table ne peut pas rentrer dans l'ascenseur.
This table cannot fit in the elevator.
Nous devons rentrer les plantes avant le gel.
We have to bring the plants inside before the frost.
Collocations
- rentrer chez soito go back home
- rentrer un objetto put in an object
- rentrer un butto score a goal
Common mistakes
Je suis rentré la voiture dans le garage.
J'ai rentré la voiture dans le garage.
When rentrer means “to put or bring something in” and takes a direct object, it uses avoir rather than être.
Related words
Grammar note
Rentrer uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to go back, to re-enter
Indicates returning to a place or re-entering somewhere.
to go (back) home, to come (back) home
Specifically refers to returning to one's home.
to get in, to go in, to fit in
Indicates entering a space or being accommodated.
to bring in, to put in
Indicates bringing or putting something into a place.
to score (a goal)
Sports term meaning to score a goal.
to collide (with), to crash (into), to run (into)
Indicates objects colliding or running into something.
Examples
Après la pause, en rentrant dans la salle, la directrice a salué les élèves.
After the break, re-entering the room, the principal greeted the students.
En rentrant chez elle, Nadia a trouvé un message sur son répondeur.
When Nadia came home, she found a message on her answering machine.
La clé rentrant parfaitement dans la serrure, nous avons pu ouvrir la porte.
The key fitting perfectly into the lock, we were able to open the door.
En rentrant les plantes avant l'orage, nous les avons protégées du vent.
By bringing the plants inside before the storm, we protected them from the wind.
Grammar note
Rentrer uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to go back, to re-enter
Indicates returning to a place or re-entering somewhere.
to go (back) home, to come (back) home
Specifically refers to returning to one's home.
to get in, to go in, to fit in
Indicates entering a space or being accommodated.
to bring in, to put in
Indicates bringing or putting something into a place.
to score (a goal)
Sports term meaning to score a goal.
to collide (with), to crash (into), to run (into)
Indicates objects colliding or running into something.
Examples
Après la pause, Marc est rentré dans la salle.
After the break, Marc went back into the room.
Paul est rentré tard hier soir.
Paul came home late last night.
Le canapé est rentré dans l'ascenseur sans difficulté.
The sofa fit into the elevator without difficulty.
Le concierge a rentré le panneau avant la fermeture.
The caretaker brought the sign inside before closing.
Grammar note
Rentrer uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to go back, to re-enter
Indicates returning to a place or re-entering somewhere.
to go (back) home, to come (back) home
Specifically refers to returning to one's home.
to get in, to go in, to fit in
Indicates entering a space or being accommodated.
to bring in, to put in
Indicates bringing or putting something into a place.
to score (a goal)
Sports term meaning to score a goal.
to collide (with), to crash (into), to run (into)
Indicates objects colliding or running into something.
Examples
Après sa pause, il rentre au bureau.
After his break, he goes back to the office.
Elle rentre chez elle avant la nuit.
She goes home before nightfall.
Cette valise rentre dans le coffre.
This suitcase fits in the trunk.
Il rentre les chaises dans la salle avant l'orage.
He brings the chairs inside before the storm.
Collocations
- rentrer chez soito go back home
- rentrer un objetto put in an object
- rentrer un butto score a goal
Common mistakes
Je suis rentré la voiture dans le garage.
J'ai rentré la voiture dans le garage.
When rentrer means “to put or bring something in” and takes a direct object, it uses avoir rather than être.
Related words
Grammar note
Rentrer uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to go back, to re-enter
Indicates returning to a place or re-entering somewhere.
to go (back) home, to come (back) home
Specifically refers to returning to one's home.
to get in, to go in, to fit in
Indicates entering a space or being accommodated.
to bring in, to put in
Indicates bringing or putting something into a place.
to score (a goal)
Sports term meaning to score a goal.
to collide (with), to crash (into), to run (into)
Indicates objects colliding or running into something.
Examples
Après le déjeuner, tu rentres au bureau pour terminer le rapport.
After lunch, you go back to the office to finish the report.
Tu rentres chez toi avant la tombée de la nuit.
You go home before nightfall.
Tu rentres dans la cabine par cette porte étroite.
You enter the cabin through this narrow door.
Tu rentres les chaises dans la salle avant la pluie.
You bring the chairs inside before the rain.
Grammar note
Rentrer uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.