Meaning and Usage
"往復" (おうふく) primarily means "round trip" or "coming and going." It is commonly used when talking about travel, tickets, or journeys that involve going to a destination and returning back to the starting point.
Common Contexts
You will often see "往復" used with tickets (切符), travel time, or transportation services. For example, "往復切符" means a round-trip ticket, which is cheaper or more convenient than buying two one-way tickets.
Collocations and Patterns
- 往復切符: round-trip ticket, used when buying train or bus tickets
- 往復時間: round-trip time, used to describe total travel time
- 往復運行: round-trip operation, used for buses or trains that run back and forth
Nuances and Tips
When using "往復," the focus is on the entire journey including both directions. It is different from just "行き" (going) or "帰り" (return). Learners sometimes confuse "往復" with "片道" (one-way), so remember "往復" always implies both directions.
"往復" is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in travel-related conversations.