Translation guide
The English word "return" covers many distinct actions: going back, giving back, putting back, and coming back. Japanese uses different verbs for each, and the choice depends on what is returning and the direction of movement.
Expressing that someone goes back to a previous location.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to go back' or 'to return' to a previous place. Focuses on the movement itself.
家に戻ります。
I'll return home.
彼は自分の席に戻った。
He returned to his seat.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to go home' or 'to return' to one's home, country, or base. Emphasizes returning to where one belongs.
Means 'to turn back' or 'to retrace one's steps', often used when you change your mind mid-journey.
忘れ物に気づいて引き返した。
I realized I forgot something and turned back.
Expressing that you return an object to the person it belongs to.
Transitive verb meaning 'to return' something to its owner or original place. The object is marked with を.
借りた本を返しました。
I returned the book I borrowed.
お金を返してください。
Please return the money.
Formal verb meaning 'to return' borrowed items, especially to libraries, rental shops, etc.
図書館に本を返却した。
I returned the book to the library.
Expressing that you return an object to where it was stored or originally located.
Transitive verb meaning 'to put back' or 'to return' something to its original position or state.
使ったら元の場所に戻してください。
Please return it to its original place after use.
本を棚に戻した。
I returned the book to the shelf.
Expressing that someone comes back to the current location or the speaker's location.
Phrase combining 戻る (return) and くる (come), meaning 'to come back'. Used when the subject returns to the speaker's location.
すぐに戻ってきます。
I'll come back soon.
彼はまだ戻ってきていない。
He hasn't come back yet.
Phrase combining 帰る (return home) and くる (come), meaning 'to come home' or 'to come back' to one's home/base.
父はもうすぐ帰ってきます。
My father will come home soon.
Expressing reciprocation or response to an action.
Also used for returning abstract things like favors, greetings, or attacks. Often used in set phrases.
Humble expression for returning a favor or giving something in return, often used for gifts.
お返しに何か贈りたいです。
I'd like to give something in return.
Expressing resumption of a previous condition or subject.
Intransitive verb also used for returning to a previous state, topic, or condition.
話を元に戻しましょう。
Let's return to the original topic.
正常に戻った。
It returned to normal.
Literary or formal expression meaning 'to return to' a fundamental principle or starting point.
Expressing that you send back or take back a purchased item for a refund or exchange.
Standard verb for returning goods to a store or seller.
この商品は返品できますか？
Can I return this item?
Means 'to send back', used when mailing something back.
不良品を返送した。
I returned the defective item by mail.
戻る (modoru) means to go back to a previous location, while 帰る (kaeru) means to go home or return to one's base. Use 帰る when the destination is home, your country, or your office. Use 戻る for other places, like returning to a seat or a store.
返す (kaesu) means to return something to its owner, while 戻す (modosu) means to put something back in its original place. Use 返す for borrowed items, money, etc. Use 戻す for putting tools back, restoring settings, etc.
The English loanword リターン (ritān) is rarely used in natural Japanese except in specific contexts like 'return key' or investment returns. Avoid using it as a general translation for 'return'.
原点に立ち返る
to return to the starting point / basics