戻る

§ What does 参る (mōmodoru) mean?

参る (mōmodoru) is a common Japanese verb that means "to return" or "to go back." It's an intransitive verb, which means it doesn't take a direct object. Think of it as describing the action of the subject itself returning to a previous place or state. This is a super useful word to know for everyday conversations, whether you're talking about going home, returning an item, or a situation going back to normal.

The CEFR level for 参る is A2, which means it's a fundamental word you should definitely master as you move beyond beginner Japanese. You'll encounter it often in various contexts, so understanding its nuances will significantly boost your comprehension and speaking ability.

§ When do people use 参る?

People use 参る in a wide range of situations. Let's break down some of the most common ones:

• Returning home or to a specific place: This is perhaps the most frequent use. You'll hear it constantly when people talk about going back to their house, school, office, or any location.
• Returning an item: If you borrow something and need to give it back, 参る is the verb you'll use.
• Something reverting to a previous state: This can be about a situation, a feeling, or even a system going back to how it was before.
• Turning back (e.g., from a path): If you've gone the wrong way and need to retrace your steps, 参る is appropriate.

Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:

Hint

I'm going back home. / I'll return home.

Hint

I will return the book to the library.

Hint

The weather returned to normal. / The weather went back to how it was.

Remember, because 参る is intransitive, you won't use direct object particles like を (o) with it. The focus is on the subject performing the action of returning, not on an object being returned *by* someone (though you can express that concept with different verbs).

Understanding 参る is key to navigating daily Japanese conversations. Keep practicing with these examples and try to form your own sentences. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.

Let's talk about the Japanese verb 戻る (modoru). This word is super common, and you'll hear it all the time. It means 'to return' or 'to go back.' Think of it as moving back to a previous location or state. It's an intransitive verb, which means it doesn't take a direct object. So, you don't 'return something' with 戻る; rather, something 'returns.'

§ Basic Usage with に (ni)

When you want to say you're returning to a specific place, you'll often use the particle に (ni) to mark the destination.

Hint

Return home.

Hint

I will return to the office.

You can also use へ (e) instead of に (ni), especially if you want to emphasize the direction of the movement more generally.

§ Expressing a Return Trip with から (kara)

If you want to specify the starting point from which you are returning, you use から (kara).

Hint

I returned from Japan.

§ Using てくる (te kuru) for Coming Back

When you go somewhere and then return, often with an implication of having completed something, you can combine 戻る with the て-form of a verb and 来る (kuru, to come). This forms a common pattern: Verbて + 戻る. However, a more common and natural way to express 'to go and come back' or 'to go and return' is to use てくる (te kuru).

Hint

I'll go shopping and come back.

§ Returning to a Previous State or Condition

Beyond physical movement, 戻る can also refer to returning to a previous state, condition, or topic.

Hint

Return to the original state.

Hint

The conversation returns to the main topic.

This usage is very common in meetings or discussions. You might hear someone say, 'Let's get back to the main point,' using 戻る.

§ Common Phrases and Conjugations

• 戻ります (modorimasu): Polite form, used in most situations.

• 戻った (modotta): Past tense, informal.

• 戻らない (modoranai): Negative form, informal.

• 戻ってください (modotte kudasai): Please return/go back.

Hint

I'll be right back.

Mastering 戻る will significantly boost your ability to talk about movement and changes in state. Pay attention to the particles used with it, especially に and から, and you'll be using it like a pro in no time.

§ What 戻る means

Japanese Word

戻る (modoru)

Part of Speech

Verb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

To return; to go back (intransitive).

The verb 戻る (modoru) is a really useful word to know in Japanese. It means 'to return' or 'to go back.' It's an intransitive verb, which means it doesn't take a direct object. You'll hear it a lot in daily conversations, at work, at school, and even in the news.

§ 戻る in daily life

Imagine you're out and about, and you need to head back somewhere. That's when 戻る comes in handy.

§ At work or school

In professional or academic settings, 戻る is commonly used when discussing returning to a previous state, a desk, or a task.

• Returning to your desk:

• Returning to a previous topic in a meeting:

§ In the news

When you're reading or watching Japanese news, 戻る often appears in reports about people returning from trips, situations returning to normal, or even economic trends.

• People returning home after an event:

• Situations returning to normal:

As you can see, 戻る is a versatile verb. Pay attention to how it's used in different contexts, and you'll quickly get the hang of it. Keep practicing, and you'll be using it naturally in no time!