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
N3
引用
inyou
quotation, citation, reference
N3
繰り返す
kurikaesu
repeat, do again
N3
引越し
hikkoshi
moving, changing residence
N3
引っ張る
hipparu
to pull, to stretch, to drag
N4
引っ越す
hikkosu
move, move house
N4
引き出し
hikidashi
drawer
N4
返事
henji
reply, answer, response
N5
返す
kaesu
to return something
N5
返します
kaeshimasu
return, give back
Kanji