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引き返す (ひきかえす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
godan verb (-su), intransitive verb
turn back ; go back ; retrace one's steps
Used when someone stops moving forward and returns to a previous point, often because of an obstacle, change of mind, or realizing a mistake. Implies a reversal of direction along the same path.
忘わす
れ
物もの
に
気き
づい
て
、
駅えき
まで
引ひ
き
返かえ
し
た
。
I realized I'd left something behind and went back to the station.
Written forms 引ひ き 返かえ す Usage 82%
Standard kanji spelling with high priority.
ひきかえす Usage 8%
引ひき 返かえ す Usage 6%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not commonly used in modern writing.
引ひ きかえす Usage 5%
search-only kanji form
Search-only mixed kanji-kana form; not a standard spelling.
Similar words 戻もど る 戻る is a general intransitive verb for returning to a previous location or state. 引き返す specifically emphasizes turning around and going back along the same route, often mid-journey.
帰かえ る 帰る means to go home or return to one's base. 引き返す does not necessarily imply returning home; it focuses on the act of reversing direction.
Etymology Compound of 引き (hiki, continuative form of 引く 'to pull') + 返す (kaesu, 'to return, send back'). Literally 'pull and return', referring to the action of turning oneself around.
