Translation guide
The English concept of 'returning' covers going back to a place, giving something back, and coming back from somewhere. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is returning and the direction relative to the speaker.
Expressing that someone goes back to a place they came from, such as home, a country, or an office.
The most common verb for returning to one's home, base, or point of origin. It implies going back to where one belongs.
家に帰る。
I'm going home.
来月、国に帰ります。
I'm returning to my country next month.
Means to return to a previous location, often used for temporary returns or going back to a place that is not one's home base. More neutral than 帰る.
To turn back or retrace one's steps, often because of an obstacle or change of plan.
Expressing that someone gives an object back to its owner or original place.
The standard transitive verb for returning an object. The giver is the subject, and the object is marked with を.
Expressing that someone or something comes back to the speaker's location or to a point of reference.
The combination of 戻る (return) and くる (come) indicates movement back toward the speaker or current location.
すぐに戻ってきます。
I'll be right back.
彼はまだ戻ってきていない。
He hasn't come back yet.
Expressing reciprocity in social interactions, such as returning a bow, a favor, or a greeting.
To do something in return for a favor or gift. Can be used for both tangible and intangible returns.
お世話になったお返しに、夕食をごちそうした。
In return for their help, I treated them to dinner.
Expressing that something goes back to an earlier condition, or that a conversation returns to a previous subject.
帰る (kaeru) implies returning to a place where one belongs, such as home or one's country. 戻る (modoru) simply means going back to a previous location, regardless of belonging. Use 帰る for going home, and 戻る for returning to the office or a store.
返す (kaesu) is only for returning objects or abstract things like favors. To say a person returns, use 帰る or 戻る. Saying 人を返す would mean 'to send a person back' or 'to return a person (like a borrowed item)', which is unnatural in most contexts.
いつ日本に帰りますか？
When are you returning to Japan?
借りたお金を返しました。
I returned the money I borrowed.
彼はまだ戻っていません。
He hasn't returned yet.
I'm returning to the office.
ちょっと家に戻って、忘れ物を取ってくる。
I'll go back home quickly to get something I forgot.
雨が強くなったので、引き返した。
The rain got heavier, so we turned back.
本を図書館に返す。
I return the book to the library.
借りたお金を返さなければならない。
I have to return the money I borrowed.
A more formal term for returning something, often used for library books, rental items, or official contexts.
レンタカーを返却する。
I return the rental car.
Humble form of 返す, used when returning something to a superior or in polite situations. Also means to give something in return for a favor.
この書類をお返しします。
I return these documents to you. (polite)
Used when someone returns home or to their base, and the speaker is at that location or empathizes with it.
父が仕事から帰ってきた。
My father came home from work.
Specifically to repay a deep debt of gratitude or obligation.
いつか恩返しがしたい。
I want to repay the favor someday.
To return a greeting, such as a bow or a verbal greeting.
彼は私の挨拶に軽く会釈を返した。
He returned my greeting with a slight nod.
Also used for abstract returns, such as returning to a topic or a previous state.
話を元に戻しましょう。
Let's get back to the original topic.
やっと平和が戻った。
Peace has finally returned.
To return to a former position, role, or activity, such as returning to work after leave.
彼は職場に復帰した。
He returned to work.