How do you say “Come back from the dead” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is reprendre vie, which literally means “to take up life again”. English speakers use come back from the dead to mean to become successful or active again after seeming completely finished. A concise French way to describe a revival. It can sound less dramatic than the English return from death. Register: informal. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural French
reprendre vie
/ʁəpʁɑ̃dʁ vi/
- Literal meaning
- “to take up life again”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
90 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
“Le théâtre reprend vie” suggests that activity and energy have returned. It suits a place that seemed abandoned or finished.
Use “redonner vie à” when something causes the revival. Both forms keep the life image, without necessarily implying a miracle.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone4 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity4 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
In context
English
After years of empty seats, the theatre came back from the dead.
French
Après des années de salles vides, le théâtre a repris vie.
English
Two late goals brought the team back from the dead.
French
Deux buts tardifs ont redonné vie à l’équipe.
Related expressions
Last updated 2026-11-13