返す vs 戻す
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 返す
Listen to 戻す
| 返す | 戻す |
|---|---|
kae-SU verb (godan, transitive) | もどす verb (godan, transitive) |
| to return (something) to someone; to give back; to repay (a favor) | to put something back (to its original place) or to restore something to a previous state |
How they differ
戻す focuses on returning an object or state to its original position or condition, whereas 返す emphasizes giving something back to a person or repaying a favor; 戻す does not necessarily imply returning to the original owner.
When to use each
When to use 返す: Prefer 返す when you mean to give something back to someone or to repay a favor.
When to use 戻す: Prefer 戻す when you mean to put an item back where it belonged or to restore a previous state.
Side-by-side examples
- 借りた本を友達に返す。
(I will return the book I borrowed to my friend.) - 使った道具を元の場所に戻す。
(I will put the tools I used back in their original place.)
Register & nuance: 戻す is neutral and common in everyday speech when referring to placing or restoring things.