戻ります

modorimasu
verbIntermediate return
formal

to return to a place or state; to go back

仕事が終わったら、すぐに家に戻ります。

I will return home as soon as work is finished.

元の場所に戻りました。

I returned to the original place.

💡

Used for physical return (e.g., going home) or metaphorical return (e.g., reverting to a previous state).

Collocations

家に戻るreturn home元に戻るgo back to the original state記憶が戻るmemory returns

Related Phrases

💡Pro Tip

Distinguish from 帰ります

帰ります (kaerimasu) implies returning to a place associated with the speaker's home or origin (e.g., 帰宅する 'to go home'). 戻ります is more general and can refer to returning to any place or state, including non-home locations.

Gold Rule

When to use 戻ります

Use 戻ります when the return is temporary or involves a change in state (e.g., 'return to work after a break'). For permanent returns home, 帰ります is more natural.

📖Word Origin

From classical Japanese verb 戻る (modoru, 'to return'), derived from Old Japanese. The verb form 戻ります is the polite present/future form.

📝Usage Notes

1. 戻ります is the polite form (丁寧語) used in formal or respectful contexts. 2. For casual speech, use 戻る (modoru). 3. Often used with に to indicate the destination of return (e.g., 家に戻ります).

Word Breakdown

return
root
+
verb stem
suffix
+
ます
polite present/future tense
suffix
和英辞典