Translation guide
How to express 'go back' in Japanese, covering physical return, undoing actions, and figurative uses.
Physically going back to a place you were before.
Intransitive verb meaning to return to a previous location. Used when the subject moves back.
I'll go back home.
Let's go back to the place we were at earlier.
Specifically means to go back home or to one's base. Use when returning to where you belong.
To turn back, retrace one's steps. Often used when you realize you forgot something or went the wrong way.
I realized I forgot something and went back.
Putting an object back where it was, or restoring a situation.
Transitive verb meaning to put something back or restore it to a previous state.
Please put the book back on the shelf.
I restored the settings to what they were.
To return something to its owner. Focuses on giving back rather than placing back.
Returning to a previous time, condition, or version.
To go back to the original state. Used for situations, systems, or relationships.
Everything went back to normal.
I want to go back to being friends.
Literally 'return to the past'. Used for time travel or nostalgic wishes.
If I could go back in time...
To go back (in time, history, or a process). Formal/literary.
To retract or reverse a statement, promise, or plan.
To go back on one's word; retract a previous statement.
He went back on his word.
To break a promise. More direct than 'go back on'.
Don't go back on your promise.
Idiom: to flip-flop, suddenly change one's attitude or promise. Literally 'turn over one's palm'.
Returning to a previous topic or point in a discussion.
戻る (modoru) is general 'return to a place', while 帰る (kaeru) specifically means 'return home/base'. Use 帰る for going back to your house, country, or office; use 戻る for returning to a store, park, or previous location.
The loanword バック (bakku) is sometimes used for 'go back' in IT contexts (e.g., browser back button), but it's not natural for physical movement. Stick to 戻る or 帰る.
Browser's back button
I'll give back the money I borrowed.
Research by going back through history.
He changed his attitude as if going back on everything.