Meaning and Usage
"戻る" (もどる) is a common verb meaning "to return" or "to go back." It is an intransitive verb, so it does not take a direct object. It can refer to physically returning to a place, going back in time, or returning to a previous state.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "戻る" when talking about returning home, going back to a previous page on a device, or figuratively returning to a previous situation or time.
Collocations and Patterns
- "家に戻る": to return home, used in everyday conversation.
- "ページを戻る": to go back a page, common in computer or reading contexts.
- "時間を戻す": to turn back time, often used figuratively.
Usage Notes
"戻る" is intransitive, so do not use it with a direct object. For example, say "家に戻る" (return home) rather than "家を戻る." Also, it is often used in polite and casual speech alike, making it versatile.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "戻る" with the transitive verb "戻す" (もどす), which means "to return something" or "to put back." Remember, "戻る" is for the subject returning by itself.