Translation and Meaning of: 帰り - kaeri

The Japanese word 帰り [かえり] is a common term that carries profound meanings and cultural connections. If you are learning Japanese or simply curious about the language, understanding how this word is used can enrich your knowledge. In this article, we'll explore its meaning, origin, kanji writing, and practical usage examples. Additionally, we'll see how it appears in cultural contexts and tips for memorizing it effectively.

Meaning and usage of 帰り

帰り is a noun that means "return" or "come back." It is often used to refer to the act of going back home, but it can also indicate returning to any place. For example, 帰り道[かえりみち] means "way back." The word is common in daily conversations and appears in situations like scheduling or describing routines.

Unlike other similar terms, such as 戻り[もどり], which can have a more generic sense of return, 帰り is more connected to the idea of going back to a home or place of origin. This nuance is important for those who want to use the word correctly in sentences or understand dialogues in animes and dramas.

Origin and writing in kanji

The kanji 帰 is composed of the radical 止 (to stop) and 帚 (broom), suggesting the idea of "clearing the way to return." This interpretation comes from sources like Kanjigen and reflects the notion of returning to a safe place. The reading かえり is one of the most common for this character, which can also be read as キ (ki) in compounds like 帰国[きこく] (return to the country of origin).

It is worth noting that 帰り is the nominal form of the verb 帰る[かえる] (to return). This relationship between noun and verb is common in Japanese and helps to expand vocabulary. To memorize, a tip is to associate the kanji 帰 with everyday situations, such as the time to return from work or school.

Cultural usage and frequency

In Japan, 帰り is a word loaded with cultural significance, especially in contexts like 帰宅[きたく] (returning home) and 帰省[きせい] (returning to one's hometown). During Obon and New Year, many Japanese people make 帰省 to visit family, making the term even more relevant during these times.

In animes and dramas, it's common to hear phrases like "帰りが遅いね" (you are coming back late). This kind of usage shows how the word is rooted in daily communication. For students, paying attention to these examples can help solidify the meaning and context in which 帰り appears.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 帰宅 (Kitaku) - Return home.
• 帰還 (Kikan) - Return, usually from a mission or trip.
• 帰路 (Kiro) - Way back.
• 帰途 (Kito) - Return path, emphasizing the journey back.
• 帰宿 (Kishuku) - Return to the place where you are staying.
• 帰着 (Kichaku) - Arrival at the destination back, emphasis on arrival.
• 帰国 (Kikoku) - Return to the homeland.
• 帰航 (Kikou) - Return by sea or air.
• 帰り道 (Kaerimichi) - Return path, focus on the specific route.
• 帰り道程 (Kaerimichidō) - Distance or route to return, emphasizing the journey.
• 帰り道中 (Kaerimichichū) - During the return journey.
• 帰りの道 (Kaeri no michi) - The way back, more colloquial form.
• 帰りの途中 (Kaeri no tochū) - In the middle of the way back.
• 帰りの帰り (Kaeri no kaeri) - Return loop, a redundant form.
• 帰りの帰路 (Kaeri no kiro) - Way back upon returning, emphasizing the direction.
• 帰りの帰途 (Kaeri no kito) - Return path, emphasizing the specific destination.
• 帰りの帰宅 (Kaeri no kitaku) - Return home, once again emphasizing the arrival.
• 帰りの帰着 (Kaeri no kichaku) - Arrival upon return, focusing on reaching the destination.
• 帰りの帰国 (Kaeri no kikoku) - Return to the homeland, emphasizing the comeback.
• 帰りの帰航 (Kaeri no kikou) - Return by sea or air, with an emphasis on the journey.
• 帰りの帰宿 (Kaeri no kishuku) - Return to the accommodation, highlighting the lodging.

帰り

Romaji: kaeri
Kana: かえり
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: return; returning

Meaning in English: return;coming back

Definition: To go home. Go home.

Example Sentences - (帰り) kaeri

See below some example sentences:

日帰り旅行が楽しいです。

Nikkari ryokou ga tanoshii desu

Day trips are enjoyable.

A day trip is fun.

• 日帰り旅行 - One-day trip
• が - Subject particle
• 楽しい - Funny
• です - polite way of being

只今帰りました。

Tadaima kaerimashita

I just got back now.

I'm back now.

• 只今 (tadaima) - It means "right now" or "I just arrived"
• 帰りました (kaerimashita) - It means "returning home".

出来るだけ早く帰りたいです。

Dekiru dake hayaku kaeritai desu

I want to go home as soon as possible.

I want to go home as soon as possible.

• 出来る - Able to do
• だけ - Only
• 早く - early, quickly
• 帰りたい - wanting to go home
• です - to be, to be (polite form)

何時に帰りますか？

Nanji ni kaerimasu ka?

What time are you coming home?

What time do you come back?

• 何時に - "What time"
• 帰ります - "I'm going back"
• か - "?"

夕方に家に帰ります。

Yuugata ni ie ni kaerimasu

I come home at night.

I will go home at night.

• 夕方 (yūgata) - Late at night
• に (ni) - Document that indicates time or place
• 家 (ie) - house
• に (ni) - Document that indicates time or place
• 帰ります (kaerimasu) - Back home

夜が更ける前に帰りたいです。

Yoru ga fukeru mae ni kaeritai desu

I want to get home before the night gets late.

I want to go home before night falls.

• 夜が更ける - night falling
• 前に - before
• 帰りたい - I want to go back
• です - is

帰りたいです。

Kaeritai desu

I want to go back home.

I want to go home.

• 帰りたい - verb "to want to go back home"
• です - Sentence-ending particle

故郷に帰りたい。

Furusato ni kaeritai

I want to go back to my hometown.

I want to go home.

• 故郷 (kokyou) - means "homeland" or "hometown"
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the target or destination of the action
• 帰りたい (kaeritai) - a verb that means "want to come back"

故郷に帰りたいです。

Kokyō ni kaeritai desu

I want to go back to my hometown.

I want to go home.

• 故郷 (kokyou) - means "homeland" or "hometown"
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the place where something happens
• 帰りたい (kaeritai) - a verb that means "want to come back"
• です (desu) - a polite w4Y of speaking