戻る
modoru[mo̞do̞ɾɯ̟]
The English phrase "go back" can be translated into Japanese as either 戻る (modoru) or 帰る.
Meaning: to return to a place (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 戻る | modoru | [mo̞do̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 帰る | kaeru | [ka̠e̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
Japanese uses different verbs depending on the nature of the destination. Use 戻る when you are returning to a physical location like an office, a general place or a previous position in a process. It is also used when returning to a previous state.
Which one should you use?
帰る is used specifically when the destination is one's home, one's country or a place where one belongs. In contrast, 戻る is used for returning to a general location or a previous point in a process.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite non-past form of 戻る is 戻ります. You can also use the te-form, 戻って, to connect sentences or to make requests, such as 戻ってください (please return).
How do you pronounce it?
modoru
Did you know?
- The distinction between 戻る and 帰る is so strict that using the wrong one can change how much you value a location. Using 帰る for a place makes that place sound like a place of deep emotional belonging.
- The verb 戻る is used for 'undoing' a mistake in digital software, such as clicking a 'back' button or reverting a change in a document.
- When a person says ただいま upon returning home, it is the essential social partner to the verb 帰る, acting as a ritualized announcement of arrival.
Examples in context
- ボストンに戻るつもりだ。I'm going to go back to Boston.This sentence shows an intention to return to a city using 戻る.Tatoeba #8585836 by small_snow, translation #2541894 by CK
- ボストンに戻ることにしたよ。I've decided to go back to Boston.This sentence shows a decision to return to a city using 戻る.Tatoeba #8582181 by small_snow, translation #6728688 by CK
- トムはボストンに戻る予定なんですか？Is Tom planning to go back to Boston?This sentence asks about a plan to return to a city using 戻る.Tatoeba #8833894 by bunbuku, translation #5326103 by CK
- 今、帰ります。I am going back now.
- 会議室に戻ります。I will go back to the meeting room.
- もう帰るね。I'm going back now.
- 遊び場に戻るよ。Let's go back to the playground.
- 明日、東京に戻ります。I will go back to Tokyo tomorrow.
- もう帰る時間だよ。It's time to go back now.
- 帰ってからご飯を食べよう。Let's eat after going back home.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are walking in a park and realize they forgot something.
- 結衣 Yuiあ！忘れ物をした。戻るね。A! Wasuremono o shita. Modoru ne.Oh! I forgot something. I'm going back.
- 蓮 Renえっ、どこに？E, doko ni?Eh, where to?
- 結衣 Yui駅に急いで戻るよ。Eki ni isoide modoru yo.I'm going back to the station quickly.
- 蓮 Renわかった。ここで待ってるよ。Wakatta. Koko de matteru yo.I understand. I'll wait here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go back” translations and entries 戻る, 帰る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
