Translation guide
In Japanese, 'round trip' is most commonly expressed with 往復 (おうふく), which functions as both a noun and a suru-verb. It is widely used for tickets, travel, and commuting. For casual or everyday contexts, especially when emphasizing 'going and coming back', the phrase 行って帰ってくる is natural. There are also set phrases for specific situations like same-day returns.
Express a journey to a destination and back, especially for transportation, tickets, or regular commuting.
The standard noun for 'round trip'. Often used with する to mean 'make a round trip'. Very common in transportation contexts (tickets, fares, travel time).
A round-trip ticket to Tokyo, please.
My commute takes two hours round trip every day.
A natural, everyday phrase meaning 'go and come back'. Used when the focus is on the action of going and returning, rather than a formal ticket or schedule.
I'm just going to run to the convenience store and come back.
The verb form of 往復, meaning 'to make a round trip'. Slightly more formal than 行って帰ってくる.
I plan to make a round trip to Osaka over the weekend.
Specifically refer to a ticket for going and returning, as opposed to a one-way ticket.
The standard term for a round-trip ticket. 切符 can be replaced with チケット in casual contexts.
A round-trip ticket is a better deal than a one-way ticket.
A more casual version using the loanword チケット. Common in spoken Japanese or for events.
I booked a round-trip ticket online.
Emphasize that the return happens on the same day as the departure.
Describe an exchange of correspondence where a reply is received.
Also used for exchanges of letters or emails. Often in compounds like 往復書簡 (exchange of letters) or 往復メール.
I exchanged several emails with him.
A more general term for 'exchange' (messages, items, words). Not limited to round trips, but very common for back-and-forth communication.
往復 is a noun and sounds more formal or technical. It's perfect for tickets, schedules, and official contexts. 行って帰ってくる is a casual verb phrase used in everyday speech when you're just talking about going somewhere and coming back.
How much is a round trip?
I'll just go to the post office and come back.
丸い旅 (まるいたび) means 'round/circular journey' and is not used for a standard round trip. Stick to 往復 or 行って帰ってくる.
Is this a round-trip ticket?
I made a round trip to Osaka yesterday.
メールのやり取りで問題が解決した。
The problem was resolved through an exchange of emails.