Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "帰る", "帰り", "戻る", "戻す", "返却"
All represent the core concept "return", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
帰る
かえる (kaeru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
帰り
かえり (kaeri)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
戻る
もどる (modoru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
戻す
もどす (modosu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
返却
へんきゃく (henkyaku)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "return" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "帰る", "帰り", "戻る", "戻す", "返却" based on context.
- 帰る (かえる (kaeru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to return, to go home" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used when returning to a place, especially home.
- 帰り (かえり (kaeri) - Level: N4): Maps to "return; coming back" and is used when Noun. Refers to the act or time of returning. Often used in phrases like 「〜の帰り」.
- 戻る (もどる (modoru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to return, to go back (intransitive)" and is used when Used for returning to a previous place, state, or condition. Intransitive, so it refers to the subject itself returning..
- 戻す (もどす (modosu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to return (something); to put back; to vomit" and is used when This is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. It is commonly used to express returning an item to its original place or state. For example, 「本を棚に戻す」.
- 返却 (へんきゃく (henkyaku) - Level: N3): Maps to "return (of something borrowed)" and is used when A formal term for returning an item, often used in contexts like libraries or rental services..
Context for "帰る"
毎日、家に帰ります。
I go home every day.
Context for "帰り"
学校の帰りにスーパーに寄った。
I stopped by the supermarket on my way back from school.
Context for "戻る"
旅行から帰ってきて、元の生活に戻った。
After returning from the trip, I returned to my normal life.
Context for "戻す"
借りた本を図書館に**戻し**ました。
I **returned** the book I borrowed to the library.
Context for "返却"
借りた本は期日までに返却してください。
Please return borrowed books by the due date.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎日、家に帰ります。" (Meaning: "I go home every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "帰る" is correct here because it represents "to return, to go home" in the context: "I go home every day.".