Translation guide
Expresses doing something while returning home from work. Japanese uses set phrases with 帰り (kaeri) or 途中 (tochuu).
仕事の帰りに
on the way home from work
The speaker does something during the journey home after finishing work.
Standard pattern meaning 'on the way back from work'. 仕事 (work) + の + 帰り (return) + に (time marker).
仕事の帰りにスーパーに寄った。
I stopped by the supermarket on the way home from work.
Uses 会社 (office/company) instead of 仕事. Slightly more concrete, implying the physical office.
会社の帰りに同僚と飲みに行った。
I went for drinks with a colleague on the way home from the office.
More explicit: 'on the road back from work'. 帰り道 (way home) + で (location/means). Slightly literary or descriptive.
仕事からの帰り道で夕日がきれいだった。
On the way home from work, the sunset was beautiful.
Focuses on the act of commuting, often by train or bus, after work.
Specifies 'on the train home from work'. Replace 電車 with バス etc. as needed.
仕事の帰りの電車で本を読む。
I read a book on the train on the way home from work.
Formal/business term. 退勤 (leaving work) + 途中 (on the way). Used in reports or formal contexts.
退勤途中に事故に遭いました。
I had an accident on the way home from work.
Emphasizes making a stop or detour while returning from work.
Pattern for 'drop by somewhere on the way home from work'. 寄る means to stop by.
仕事の帰りにコンビニに寄る。
I stop by the convenience store on the way home from work.
Avoid word-for-word translations like 仕事から家に帰る途中で. While grammatically possible, it's unnatural. Use set phrases with 帰り.
仕事の帰りによく食料品を買います。
I often buy groceries on the way home from work.
彼女は仕事の帰りに電話をくれた。
She called me on her way home from work.