帰る
What does "帰る" mean in English?
return home毎日5時に帰る。
I go home at 5 every day.
How to use "帰る" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
to return to one's home or place of origin
仕事が終わったらすぐ帰ります。
I'll go home as soon as I finish work.
故郷に帰る。
return to one's hometown
Used for returning to a familiar place (home, hometown, etc.), not for returning to a temporary location.
to go back to a previous state or condition
平和に帰る。
return to peace
Less common; primarily in set phrases or literary contexts.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Home vs. Temporary Return
Use 帰る for returning to a personal home or hometown. For returning to a temporary place (e.g., a hotel after sightseeing), use 戻る instead.
Gold Rule
Intransitive Verb
帰る is always intransitive and does not take a direct object. You cannot say 帰る something (e.g., 帰る本 is incorrect).
Word Origin
From Old Japanese *kaper- (to return), ultimately from Proto-Japonic *kapi. Related to 帰す (kaesu, to send back).
Usage Notes
帰る implies a return to a familiar, personal space (home, hometown). For returning to a temporary location (e.g., a hotel), 戻る is more appropriate. The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.