Translation guide
How to express the idea of moving backwards, turning around, or undoing something in Japanese.
Describing the physical action of moving in reverse, such as a car backing up or a person stepping backwards.
Common loanword for reversing a vehicle or moving backwards. Casual and widely understood.
I reversed the car and parked.
Formal term for moving backwards, used for vehicles, troops, or abstract retreat.
The truck slowly reversed.
Specifically means driving against traffic or in the wrong direction on a road. Not general reversing.
There was a car reversing on the highway (driving the wrong way).
Reversing direction, turning back, or returning to a previous point.
To turn back or retrace one's steps, often used when you decide to go back midway.
It started raining, so I turned back.
To make a U-turn, especially in a vehicle. Casual and common.
Please make a U-turn at the next intersection.
To change direction, often used figuratively for policy or strategy shifts.
Undoing, canceling, or overturning something that was done or decided.
To cancel or revoke an action, order, or statement. Common for reversing a decision.
I'd like to cancel (reverse) my order.
To overturn a decision, ruling, or assumption. Often used in legal or formal contexts.
To withdraw or retract a statement, proposal, or decision. Formal.
He reversed his previous statement.
To return something to its original state; undo an action. Very common in everyday speech.
Please reverse the changes (undo).
Swapping positions, roles, or the sequence of things.
While 逆 (reverse/opposite) is a common translation, it doesn't cover all uses. For vehicles, バックする is more natural. For undoing, use 取り消す or 元に戻す.
The company decided on a reversal of its business direction.
The court reversed the ruling.
Let's reverse roles and try.