Translation guide
The English phrase "go home" can be expressed in Japanese through several verbs and phrases, depending on context, formality, and whether the speaker is returning to their own home or someone else's.
Expressing the action of going back to one's own house or place of residence.
The most common and neutral verb for returning home. Used when the speaker is going back to their own home or base.
Explicitly states 'return home'. Slightly more emphatic than 帰る alone.
疲れたから家に帰りたい。
I'm tired, so I want to go home.
A formal, somewhat stiff verb used in written language or official contexts.
社員は午後6時に帰宅した。
The employee went home at 6 p.m.
Going back to a house that is not one's own permanent residence, such as a friend's house or a hotel.
Uses 戻る (to return) instead of 帰る, which can imply returning to a temporary base. Suitable when staying at a friend's house or a hotel.
ホテルに戻りましょう。
Let's go back to the hotel.
友達の家に戻った。
I went back to my friend's house.
Can also be used for returning to a place one is temporarily staying, especially if it feels like a base. Context dependent.
Commanding or suggesting that someone else return to their home.
Polite request for someone to go home. The standard way to ask someone to leave.
もう遅いので、帰ってください。
It's late, so please go home.
Blunt imperative form. Can sound harsh or angry. Used among close friends or in heated situations.
Avoid using with superiors or strangers; it can be very rude.
帰れ！
Go home!
Very polite, honorific request. Used in customer service or formal situations.
本日はこれでお帰りください。
Please go home for today.
Leaving a place to return home, often after a social gathering or work.
The default verb for leaving an event to go home.
パーティーから帰る。
Go home from the party.
Literally 'withdraw', used colloquially to mean 'head home' after an event, often implying a group departure.
帰る (kaeru) implies returning to a place considered one's home base or origin, while 戻る (modoru) simply means to return to a previous location without the nuance of 'home'. Use 帰る for going home, and 戻る for going back to a temporary place like a hotel or a friend's house.
家に行く (ie ni iku) means 'go to a house' and does not convey the meaning of returning home. It sounds like you are visiting someone else's house. Use 帰る or 家に帰る instead.
家に行く。
Go to (someone's) house.
Let's head back to the hotel soon.
そろそろ引き上げようか。
Shall we head home soon?