1. back [adverb; ‘tu-rug’]

The word ‘terug’ is also frequently used to create ‘composed verbs’, see ‘Examples’.

Examples:
– "Geef terug!"
("Give it back!" Here the composed verb is ‘teruggeven’: to give back (or to return).)

– "Sander is (weer) terug van vakantie."
("Sander is back (again) from holiday/vacation.")

– "Ik heb te weinig geld teruggekregen!"
("I was short-changed!" with composed verb ‘terugkrijgen’: to receive, to get back. Literally: "I was given back too little money.")

– "Niet goed, geld terug."
(Popular warranty slogan, literally: "Not good, money back". You will also see: "Niet goed, geld terug – garantie" as a warranty ("garantie") policy.)

– "Ik ben over 5 minuten terug."
("I’ll be back in 5 minutes.")

– "In ‘Back to the future‘ reist de hoofdpersoon terug in de tijd."
("In ‘Back to the future’ the main character travels back in time.")

– "Alle laptopbatterijen met oneven serienummers moeten terug naar de fabriek."
("All laptop batteries with odd serial numbers have to be returned to the factory.")

– "Door het slechte weer zijn veel vakantiegangers teruggekeerd."
("Due to the bad weather, many holidaymakers/vacationers have gone back." Composed verb: ‘terugkeren’.)

– "Kunt u mij later vanmiddag terugbellen?"
("Can you call me back later this afternoon?")

Expressions:
– "Niet terug hebben van": used when one can’t compete, or is silenced (by an argument).

Examples:
– "De Nederlandse atleet had niet terug van de snelle start van de Rus."
("The Dutch athlete could not compete with the Russian’s fast start.")

– "Ik heb hem de waarheid gezegd en hij had er niet van terug!"
("I told him the truth and he was silenced!")

– "Erop terugkomen": to discuss later/to revisit (an issue) or to change an opinion or decision.

Examples:
– "Ik kom er later in deze presentatie op terug."
("I will discuss this later in the presentation.")

– "Ik had gezegd dat ik mee zou gaan vanavond, maar ik moet erop terugkomen."
("I said I’d join tonight, but I have to cancel (take it back).")

2. back (ago) [adverb]

This translation is not very common and the word ‘geleden’ is more often used.

Example:
– "Enige jaren terug was er een tekort aan water door het extreem warme weer."
("A few years ago there was a shortage of water due to the extremely warm weather.")