Translation guide
How to express 'turn back' in Japanese, covering physical return, reversing direction, refusing entry, and metaphorical turning away.
To go back to where you came from, often because you forgot something or changed your mind.
The most common and natural way to say 'turn back' when you are on your way somewhere and decide to return.
忘れ物をしたので、家に引き返した。
I realized I forgot something, so I turned back home.
A general verb for 'return' or 'go back'. Can be used for turning back, but is broader in meaning.
途中で気が変わって、オフィスに戻った。
I changed my mind on the way and turned back to the office.
Literary or dramatic expression for turning back immediately, often with a sense of urgency.
彼は駅まで行ったが、取って返して家に駆け込んだ。
He went as far as the station but turned back and rushed home.
To physically turn around and go the opposite way, such as while walking, driving, or flying.
Works for any mode of travel when you reverse course.
この道は行き止まりだから、引き返そう。
This road is a dead end, so let's turn back.
Specifically for making a U-turn while driving. Can also be used metaphorically.
間違えた道に入ったので、次の交差点でUターンした。
I took the wrong road, so I made a U-turn at the next intersection.
Formal term for changing direction, used in navigation or business contexts.
悪天候のため、飛行機は方向転換して出発地に戻った。
Due to bad weather, the plane turned back to its departure point.
To not allow someone to enter a place and make them go back.
To turn someone away at the door or gate, often firmly or rudely.
セールスマンを玄関で追い返した。
I turned the salesman back at the front door.
More polite or formal way to say 'refuse entry', often used for events or venues.
チケットがない人は入場を断られました。
People without tickets were turned back.
Literally 'turning away at the gate', used for refusing to see someone or rejecting an offer outright.
彼は会社に交渉に行ったが、門前払いされた。
He went to negotiate with the company but was turned back at the door.
To turn back a sheet, blanket, collar, or page to expose what is underneath.
General verb for turning over or flipping something, like a page or a blanket.
布団をめくって、シーツをチェックした。
I turned back the futon and checked the sheets.
To fold back a part of something, like a cuff or a page corner.
To roll or tuck up, like sleeves or a skirt. More casual.
To go back to a previous state, decision, or way of thinking.
To go back to a previous state or stage, often with a negative nuance of regression.
改革が後戻りして、昔の体制に戻ってしまった。
The reforms turned back, and we returned to the old system.
Can be used metaphorically for reversing a decision or course of action.
その計画は問題が多すぎるので、引き返すことにした。
The plan had too many problems, so we decided to turn back.
To reverse a decision or opinion suddenly; often used in the phrase 考えを翻す (change one's mind).
To wish to return to a past time; impossible reversal.
Common expression for 'turn back time', often used in wishes or hypotheticals.
もし時を戻せるなら、あの日にもう一度戻りたい。
If I could turn back time, I'd go back to that day.
Literally 'rewind time', like a tape. More casual or metaphorical.
人生の時間を巻き戻せたらいいのに。
I wish I could turn back the clock of life.
引き返す specifically means to turn back midway, while 戻る simply means to return to a previous location. Use 引き返す when you change direction during a journey.
駅に向かっていたが、忘れ物に気づいて引き返した。
I was heading to the station but turned back when I realized I forgot something.
家に戻って、忘れ物を取った。
I returned home and picked up what I forgot.
Do not translate 'turn back' literally as 後ろを向く (look behind) or 回って戻る (turn and return). Use the appropriate verb based on context.
彼は本のページの端を折り返して栞にした。
He turned back the corner of the page as a bookmark.
He turned back his sleeves and started working.
彼は前言を翻して、辞任を撤回した。
He turned back on his previous statement and withdrew his resignation.