Japanese Conversation · Level 50
90 words
Japanese word
返る
Pronunciation
Romajikaeru
Meaning
- verbgo back
Example
鳥は巣に返ります。tori wa su ni kae ri ma su
The bird goes back to its nest.
More examples
落とし物が、持ち主のもとへ返ります。o to shi mono ga mo chi nushi no mo to e kae ri ma su
The lost item returns to its owner.
Core concept
Describes moving back to a former place or state after being away from it.
Common phrases
持ち主に返るmo chi nushi ni kae ru
return to its owner
元に返るmoto ni kae ru
return to its original state
Similar words
戻るmodoru: To go back to an earlier place, position, or condition.
帰るkaeru: To go back to the place where one lives or usually stays.
Definition in Japanese
いったん離れた場所や、もとの状態に戻ること。i tta n hana re ta ba sho ya mo to no jō tai ni modo ru ko to
Word origin
返る (kaeru, "go back") comes from the native Japanese verb かへる (kaferu, "go back"), while 返 (hen, "return") is a later meaning-based kanji spelling.
Usage tips
- The identical pronunciation of 返る (kaeru, "return") and 帰る (kaeru, "go home") hides a useful distinction: 返る often marks a return to a former place or state, while 帰る commonly marks going home.