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.
家に戻ります。
I'll go back home.
さっきの場所に戻りましょう。
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.
忘れ物に気づいて引き返した。
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.
本を棚に戻してください。
Please put the book back on the shelf.
設定を元に戻した。
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.
すべてが元に戻った。
Everything went back to normal.
友達に戻りたい。
I want to go back to being friends.
Literally 'return to the past'. Used for time travel or nostalgic wishes.
もし過去に戻れるなら…
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.
彼は前言を翻した。
He went back on his word.
To break a promise. More direct than 'go back on'.
約束を破らないで。
Don't go back on your promise.
Idiom: to flip-flop, suddenly change one's attitude or promise. Literally 'turn over one's palm'.
彼は手のひらを返したように態度を変えた。
He changed his attitude as if going back on everything.
Returning to a previous topic or point in a discussion.
To bring the conversation back to the previous topic.
話を戻しますが…
Going back to what we were saying...
To return to the original topic.
元の話題に戻りましょう。
Let's go back to the original topic.
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.
ブラウザの戻るボタン
Browser's back button
I'll give back the money I borrowed.
歴史を遡って調べる。
Research by going back through history.