Translation guide
How to express reversing, canceling, or restoring a previous state in Japanese.
Please press the undo button.
Loanword from English, used in some software interfaces, but less common than 元に戻す.
アンドゥ機能を使う
Use the undo function.
To make something void, such as a decision, contract, or effect.
To cancel, revoke, or nullify. Used for orders, reservations, statements, etc.
注文を取り消す
Cancel the order.
彼は前言を取り消した。
He took back his previous statement.
To withdraw or retract, often used for formal statements, proposals, or decisions.
提案を撤回する
Withdraw the proposal.
To invalidate or make null and void. Used for contracts, agreements, or legal effects.
契約を無効にする
Void the contract.
To physically undo something like a knot, button, or screw.
To untie, undo (a knot, string, etc.). Also used for untying hair or loosening a sash.
靴ひもをほどく
Untie the shoelaces.
彼女は髪をほどいた。
She undid her hair.
To remove, unfasten, or detach. Used for buttons, screws, parts, etc.
ボタンを外す
Undo the button.
To loosen, slacken. Used for screws, belts, tension, etc.
To return something to how it was before, often in a broader sense than just reversing an action.
To restore to the original state. Used for physical objects, situations, or relationships.
部屋を元通りにした。
I restored the room to its original state.
To restore, reconstruct, or recover data/systems. Often used in IT contexts.
データを復元する
Restore the data.
Undo the screw.
ネジを緩める
Loosen the screw.