Meaning
The kanji 戻 (もどる, もどす) expresses the core concepts of 'to return,' 'to go back,' 'to restore,' or 'to revert.' It signifies movement back to an original state, position, or condition. This character is common in everyday Japanese, appearing in contexts from returning home to reversing a process.
Its roots lie in the older form 戾. This original character combined the radical 戸 (ko/to), meaning 'door,' with 犬 (ken/inu), meaning 'dog.' The pictograph suggested a dog pushing through a door, or perhaps stubbornly turning back from it. Over time, this imagery evolved to represent both the act of returning and being contrary. In its modern, simplified form, the 犬 (dog) component has been replaced by 大 (dai/ō), meaning 'big' or 'large.' Despite this visual change, the central idea of 'returning' remains paramount in its Japanese usage.
Kanji 戻 has 7 strokes and is classified under the JLPT N3 level, making it essential for intermediate Japanese learners. Although it is a Joyo Kanji (kanji for everyday use), it is typically learned in middle school or later, rather than being assigned to a specific elementary school grade.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading of 戻 is レイ (REI). This reading is less frequently used than its Kun'yomi counterparts, typically appearing in more formal or specialized compound words, often with an archaic or technical nuance.
- 返戻 (henrei) — return, giving back (often formal, referring to money or documents).
- 暴戻 (bourei) — violence, tyranny. Note: In this older compound, 戾 retains its archaic meaning of 'perverse' or 'wicked,' unrelated to 'return.'
- 復戻 (fukurei) — return, restoration (a relatively archaic or highly specialized term).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are much more common and directly describe actions of 'returning' or 'putting back.' The two primary readings are もど.る (modoru) and もど.す (modosu), which function as intransitive and transitive verbs, respectively.
- 戻る (modoru) — to return, to go back (intransitive). Use this when something or someone returns on its own. For example, you might say 家に戻る (ie ni modoru) for returning home, or 元に戻る (moto ni modoru) to mean returning to a previous state. While 帰る also means 'to return,' 戻る has broader usage, often implying a return to a specific state or position beyond just 'home.'
- 戻す (modosu) — to put back, to return (something), to restore, to vomit (transitive). This form is used when someone or something causes an object to return. For instance, 本を棚に戻す (hon o tana ni modosu) means to put a book back on the shelf, or 商品を戻す (shouhin o modosu) means to return a product. It's also a common term for vomiting.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 戻 forms many essential words in Japanese. Understanding these compounds is key to grasping its full range of applications.
Actions of Returning/Going Back
- 戻る (modoru) — to return, to go back. Used for people, objects, or even abstract states.
- 引き戻す (hikimodosu) — to bring back, to pull back, to regain. Often suggests reversing a course or decision.
- 差し戻す (sashimodosu) — to send back, to remand (in legal contexts), to refer back.
- 後戻り (atomodori) — going back, backtracking, regression.
- 逆戻り (gyakumodori) — regression, going backward, relapse. This strongly emphasizes a reversal or setback.
Restoration and Reversion
- 戻す (modosu) — to put back, to restore to a previous condition.
- 元に戻す (moto ni modosu) — to restore to the original condition, to undo.
- 払い戻し (haraimodoshi) — refund, repayment. This refers to the act of returning money.
- 見直しに戻す (minaoshi ni modosu) — to send back for review.
Unexpected Return
- 吐き戻す (hakimodosu) — to vomit, to regurgitate. This is a specific use of 'modosu' indicating something coming back out.
Work-Related
- 手戻り (temodori) — rework, backtracking in a process, having to redo work due to errors or changes.
Example Sentences
家に戻る時間だよ。
Ie ni modoru jikan da yo.
It's time to go back home.
彼は間違いを元に戻した。
Kare wa machigai o moto ni modoshita.
He undid the mistake (returned it to its original state).
図書館に本を戻した。
Toshokan ni hon o modoshita.
I returned the book to the library.
前の状態に戻ることはできない。
Mae no jōtai ni modoru koto wa dekinai.
We cannot go back to the previous state.
会議が長引いて、予定より遅れて仕事に戻った。
Kaigi ga nagabīte, yotei yori okurete shigoto ni modotta.
The meeting dragged on, and I returned to work later than planned.
商品に問題があったので、店に戻してもらった。
Shōhin ni mondai ga atta node, mise ni modoshite moratta.
There was a problem with the product, so I had it returned to the store.
一度出てしまったら、もう後戻りできない。
Ichido dete shimattara, mō atomodori dekinai.
Once you've left, there's no turning back.
彼の病気は一時的に改善したが、最終的に逆戻りしてしまった。
Kare no byōki wa ichijiteki ni kaizen shita ga, saishūteki ni gyakumodori shite shimatta.
His illness temporarily improved, but ultimately relapsed.
彼は気分が悪くなり、朝食を吐き戻した。
Kare wa kibun ga waruku nari, chōshoku o hakimodoshiita.
He felt sick and vomited his breakfast.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 戻, focus on its components: 戸 (door) and 大 (big). A useful mnemonic can be to imagine you are 'returning' (戻) to your house, and the 'door' (戸) seems 'big' (大), perhaps symbolizing a welcome or a clear path back. Another way to think about it is that you have to 'return' or 'go back' (戻) because you encountered a 'big' (大) problem at the 'door' (戸), forcing a change of direction. These stories help connect the visual form of the kanji to its primary meaning of coming back or reverting.