How do you say “Come back from the dead” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is wieder zum Leben erwachen, which literally means “to awaken to life again”. English speakers use come back from the dead to mean to become successful or active again after seeming completely finished. A natural German image for renewed activity. It is a little gentler than saying something returned from death. Register: informal. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural German
wieder zum Leben erwachen
/ˈviːdɐ tsʊm ˈleːbn̩ ɛɐ̯ˌvaxn̩/
- Literal meaning
- “to awaken to life again”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
89 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
The phrase works for a place, project or team becoming active again. It need not suggest literal resurrection.
When something causes the revival, change the wording to “wieder zum Leben erwecken”. The second example uses that form.
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.
German
Nach Jahren mit leeren Rängen erwachte das Theater wieder zum Leben.
English
Two late goals brought the team back from the dead.
German
Zwei späte Tore erweckten die Mannschaft wieder zum Leben.
Related expressions
Last updated 2026-11-13