When you encounter the word 帰国 (kikoku), think about the act of someone going back to their country of origin. It's a compound noun formed from 帰 (ki), meaning 'return,' and 国 (koku), meaning 'country.' This term is commonly used in contexts like studying abroad, working overseas, or long-term travel when the person is preparing to go back to their own nation.
For example, if a Japanese person has been living in America for several years, their decision to return to Japan would be described as 帰国 (kikoku). It implies a more permanent or significant return, rather than just a short visit. Understanding this nuance helps differentiate it from simply traveling to a country.
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General 'to return/go back' to a place, state, or object.
General 'to go home' or 'to return' to a familiar place.
Specific for 'returning to one's own house'.
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Often confused with general 'return' verbs like 戻る (もどる - modoru) or 帰る (かえる - kaeru).
Specifically means 'returning to one's home country'. It's not used for returning to a building, a city, or a friend's house. It implies a larger, national scale of return.
彼は来週、日本に帰国します。 (Kare wa raishuu, Nihon ni kikoku shimasu.) - He will return to Japan (his home country) next week.
Similar in structure and meaning to 帰国, both involve returning home.
Means 'returning to one's hometown or parents' home'. It's about a specific place of origin within a country, not necessarily the entire country itself. Often used during holidays.
お盆に実家に帰省します。 (Obon ni jikka ni kisei shimasu.) - I will return to my parents' home for Obon.
Another 'return' word, easy to mix up with 帰国 or 帰省.
Means 'returning home (to one's own house)'. This is the most common and general way to say 'go home' after work, school, or an outing. It refers to your personal residence.
仕事が終わったらすぐに帰宅します。 (Shigoto ga owattara sugu ni kitaku shimasu.) - I will go home immediately after work.
A very general verb for 'to return' or 'to go back', which can be applied broadly.
This is a versatile verb meaning to return to a previous state, place, or condition. It can be used for returning a borrowed item, going back to a store, or even returning to a topic in conversation. It doesn't carry the specific 'home country' or 'hometown' nuance of 帰国 or 帰省.
図書館に本を戻します。 (Toshokan ni hon o modorimasu.) - I will return the book to the library.
The most common and general verb for 'to return' or 'to go home', making it easy to over-apply.
This is the general verb for returning to a familiar place, often 'home' (your own residence) or a place you've been before. While it can imply returning to one's country in very specific contexts, 帰国 is much more precise for 'home country'. Use 帰る for most daily returns.
そろそろ家に帰ります。 (Sorosoro ie ni kaerimasu.) - I'm going home soon.
Teste-toi 6 questions
This sentence means 'I will return to my home country next year.' The structure is Subject + Time + Verb.
This sentence means 'When will you return to Japan?' The question word 'いつ' comes first, followed by the destination and verb.
This sentence means 'His return to his home country has been decided.' '彼の帰国' acts as the subject, followed by the verb.
/ 6 correct
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