Translation guide
How to express 'turn back' in Japanese, covering physical return, reversing direction, refusing entry, and metaphorical turning away.
To go back to where you came from, often because you forgot something or changed your mind.
The most common and natural way to say 'turn back' when you are on your way somewhere and decide to return.
I realized I forgot something, so I turned back home.
A general verb for 'return' or 'go back'. Can be used for turning back, but is broader in meaning.
I changed my mind on the way and turned back to the office.
Literary or dramatic expression for turning back immediately, often with a sense of urgency.
He went as far as the station but turned back and rushed home.
To physically turn around and go the opposite way, such as while walking, driving, or flying.
Works for any mode of travel when you reverse course.
This road is a dead end, so let's turn back.
Specifically for making a U-turn while driving. Can also be used metaphorically.
Formal term for changing direction, used in navigation or business contexts.
To not allow someone to enter a place and make them go back.
To turn someone away at the door or gate, often firmly or rudely.
I turned the salesman back at the front door.
More polite or formal way to say 'refuse entry', often used for events or venues.
Literally 'turning away at the gate', used for refusing to see someone or rejecting an offer outright.
To turn back a sheet, blanket, collar, or page to expose what is underneath.
General verb for turning over or flipping something, like a page or a blanket.
I turned back the futon and checked the sheets.
To fold back a part of something, like a cuff or a page corner.
To roll or tuck up, like sleeves or a skirt. More casual.
To go back to a previous state, decision, or way of thinking.
To go back to a previous state or stage, often with a negative nuance of regression.
The reforms turned back, and we returned to the old system.
Can be used metaphorically for reversing a decision or course of action.
To reverse a decision or opinion suddenly; often used in the phrase 考えを翻す (change one's mind).
To wish to return to a past time; impossible reversal.
引き返す specifically means to turn back midway, while 戻る simply means to return to a previous location. Use 引き返す when you change direction during a journey.
I was heading to the station but turned back when I realized I forgot something.
I returned home and picked up what I forgot.
Do not translate 'turn back' literally as 後ろを向く (look behind) or 回って戻る (turn and return). Use the appropriate verb based on context.
I took the wrong road, so I made a U-turn at the next intersection.
Due to bad weather, the plane turned back to its departure point.
People without tickets were turned back.
He went to negotiate with the company but was turned back at the door.
He turned back the corner of the page as a bookmark.
He turned back his sleeves and started working.
The plan had too many problems, so we decided to turn back.
He turned back on his previous statement and withdrew his resignation.
I wish I could turn back the clock of life.