Japanese word

戻す

Pronunciation

Romajimodosu

Meaning

  • verbput back

Example

本を元の場所に戻します。hon o moto no ba sho ni modo shi ma su

I put the book back in its original place.

Illustration for 戻す (put back)

More examples

本を棚に戻します。hon o tana ni modo shi ma su

I put the book back on the shelf.

休み時間の後、先生は生徒を教室に戻します。yasu mi ji kan no ato sen sei wa sei to o kyō shitsu ni modo shi ma su

After recess, the teacher sends the students back to the classroom.

Core concept

It centers on moving something away from its current position and bringing it back to an earlier place, condition, or rightful holder.

Common phrases

  • 元の場所に戻すmoto no ba sho ni modo su

    put back in its original place

  • 棚に戻すtana ni modo su

    put back on the shelf

  • 元に戻すmoto ni modo su

    restore to its original state

Similar words

返すkaesu: To return something to its owner or put it back where it was.
直すnaosu: To fix something so that it works or is arranged properly again.

Definition in Japanese

物や状態を、元の場所や状態にすること。また、受け取った物を持ち主に返すこと。mono ya jō tai o moto no ba sho ya jō tai ni su ru ko to ma ta u ke to tta mono o mo chi nushi ni kae su ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 戻す (modosu, "to put back") is the transitive counterpart of 戻る (modoru, "to return"), expressing the act of making something return.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 戻す (modosu) commonly takes を (o) for the thing being returned, as in 本を戻す (hon o modosu).

Other meanings

  • restoreverb
  • give backverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 戻し方modoshikataway of putting backnoun

Word lists with this word