Meaning and Usage
"帰宅" (きたく) specifically means "returning home" or "going back home." It is a noun often used in formal or neutral contexts, such as news reports, announcements, or daily conversations about one's schedule.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "帰宅" when talking about the time or action of going home after work, school, or an outing. It can be combined with verbs like "する" to form "帰宅する" (to return home).
Collocations and Patterns
- 帰宅する: to return home (common verb phrase)
- 帰宅時間: time of returning home
- 帰宅途中: on the way home
Usage Notes
"帰宅" is more formal than simply saying "家に帰る" (to go home). It is often used in written language or polite speech. Learners sometimes confuse "帰宅" with "帰る," but "帰宅" emphasizes the act of returning to one's own home specifically.
Common Mistake
Avoid using "帰宅" casually in very informal conversations; instead, use "帰る". For example, with friends, "もう帰るね" sounds more natural than "もう帰宅するね."