Word
引き返す
Meaning in Englishto turn back, to go back, reverse
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
引き返す means to turn back or reverse course; it covers physically returning along a route as well as metaphorically reconsidering or withdrawing from a plan or statement in everyday usage.
Main meanings
- Physical turning back during travel or movement, returning to the origin.
- Metaphorical reversal of plans, decisions, or commitments, i.e., backing out or reconsidering.
- In transportation contexts, a vehicle or service returning to its point of origin or reversing direction.
How to use it
Used for both literal and figurative turning back. In casual and formal speech, it describes changing direction on a journey as well as reconsidering a plan or statement; common with particles like 道を, 途中で, or in contexts involving travel, logistics, or decisions.
Variants and close terms
- 逆戻りする (gyaku-modori suru) — revert, go back
- 戻る (modoru) — to return; to go back
- 進む (susumu) — go forward (antonym)
Composition
- 引く: to pull, draw
- 返す: to return, give back
- 引き返す: combined meaning is to pull back and return, i.e., to turn back or reverse course
Word class
verb (godan)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N1
引っ掻く
hikkaku
to scratch
N2
引力
inryoku
gravity
N2
裏返す
uragaesu
to turn inside out, to turn (something) over
N2
強引
gouin
forcible, assertive, pushy
N2
索引
sakuin
index, indices
N2
差し引き
sashihiki
deduction, balance
N2
長引く
nagabiku
to be prolonged, to drag on
N2
引受る
hikiukeru
to undertake, to take up, to take over
N2
引算
hikizan
subtraction
Kanji