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.
I'm tired, so I want to go home.
A formal, somewhat stiff verb used in written language or official contexts.
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.
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.
Leaving a place to return home, often after a social gathering or work.
The default verb for leaving an event to go home.
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.
Let's go back to the hotel.
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.
Let's head back to the hotel soon.
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.
Go home!
Very polite, honorific request. Used in customer service or formal situations.
Please go home for today.
Go home from the party.
Literally 'withdraw', used colloquially to mean 'head home' after an event, often implying a group departure.
Shall we head home soon?
Go back to the hotel.
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.
Go to (someone's) house.