Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 取り戻す | torimodosu | [to̞ɾʲimo̞do̞sɨ] (narrow) |
| 復旧させる | fukkyū saseru |
In Japanese, the choice of word for 'restore' depends heavily on what is being brought back to a previous state. Use 取り戻す for abstract or personal things such as confidence, status or lost items. Use 復旧させる for technical or physical restoration, such as restoring a system, a road or a building after damage.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 取り戻す is composed of the verb 取る (to take) and 戻す (to return/put back), which literally means 'to take back'.
Which one should you use?
取り戻す is used when you mean 'to regain' or 'to win back' something like a lost possession or a feeling. In contrast, 復旧させる is used when you mean 'to restore' or 'to repair' physical or technical infrastructure.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 取り戻す is 取り戻した. To express the ability to restore or regain something, use the dictionary form followed by ことができます, as in 取り戻すことができます.
How do you pronounce it?
torimodosu
Did you know?
- The verb 取り戻す is frequently used in romantic contexts to describe winning back an ex-partner, treating the relationship as something that was lost and must be reclaimed.
- If you want to say you 'restored' a friendship, using 復旧させる would sound like you are repairing a broken machine. Instead, you would use 修復する (shūfuku suru), treating the relationship like a broken object.
- The kanji in 復旧 (fukkyū) contains the character 復, which also means 'to repeat' or 'to return'. This highlights that restoration is seen as a cycle of returning to a previous state.
Examples in context
- データベースを復元する必要があります。We need to restore the database.
- 病気から回復するまで時間がかかります。It takes time to recover from an illness.
- 机の配置を元に戻してください。Please restore the arrangement of the desks.
- スマートフォンが壊れたので、直してもらいました。My smartphone was broken, so I had it repaired.
- 部屋を片付けて、元通りにしましょう。Let's clean the room and restore it to its original state.
- 自信を取り戻す。jishin o torimodosu.To regain confidence.
- 失った時間を取り戻す。ushinatta jikan o torimodosu.To make up for lost time.
- 健康を取り戻すために、よく眠ります。kenkou o torimodosu tame ni, yoku nemurimasu.I sleep well to restore my health.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “restore” translations and entries 取り戻す, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
