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〜直す / 〜なおす

naosu

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Meaning

re-do… / do… again to fix or improve it

Verb stem + 直す means "do it again, this time properly": 書き直す "rewrite", やり直す "redo", 考え直す "rethink", かけ直す "call back". The key idea is fixing or improving, not simply repeating.

Daily conversation, work and school (レポートを書き直す, 電話をかけ直す), and reflection (人生をやり直す). Extremely common; also used politely on the phone: 後でかけ直します.

Formation

V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

  • Verb ます-stem + 直す (Group 1 verb: 直した, 直して, 直します)
  • Common: 書き直す, やり直す, 考え直す, 見直す, かけ直す, 作り直す, 出直す, 読み直す

Visual diagram

  1. Step 1レポートを書くwrite the report (first attempt)
  2. Step 2間違いが多いthere are many mistakes (a problem is found)
  3. Step 3レポートを書き直すrewrite the report to fix it (直す = do over, better)

Natural examples

  1. 間違いが多いので、もう一度書き直した。

    まちがいがおおいので、もういちどかきなおした。

    There were many mistakes, so I rewrote it.

    Rewriting to fix mistakes.

  2. 電話が切れたので、かけ直します。

    でんわがきれたので、かけなおします。

    The call was cut off, so I'll call back.

    かけ直す = call back after a cut-off; a set phone phrase.

  3. 計画を最初から考え直そう。

    けいかくをさいしょからかんがえなおそう。

    Let's rethink the plan from the beginning.

    考え直す = rethink from scratch.

  4. 計算が合わないので、もう一度見直してみます。

    けいさんがあわないので、もういちどみなおしてみます。

    The figures don't add up, so I'll go over them again.

    見直す = check again to correct.

  5. 失敗しても、何度でもやり直せばいい。

    しっぱいしても、なんどでもやりなおせばいい。

    Even if you fail, you can just start over as many times as you need.

    やり直す = start over; potential form やり直せる.

Similar grammar and the difference

  • もう一度〜する

    Just 'do it once more', no implication of fixing. 直す implies improvement.

  • 〜返す

    Repeating in the opposite direction or many times (読み返す = read again, 繰り返す = repeat). Not about correcting.

  • 直す (independent verb)

    'Repair, fix' something concrete: 時計を直す. The compound adds the idea to another action.

Common mistakes

  • ✗
    書く直す
    ✓
    書き直す
    Why
    直す attaches to the ます-stem.
  • ✗
    同じ映画をもう一度見直した。(meaning 'watched again for fun')
    ✓
    同じ映画をもう一度見た。
    Why
    見直す means 'review / re-examine' (or 'see in a new light'); for casual re-watching just use もう一度見る.
  • ✗
    電話をかけ直します。(said when calling back is not yet needed)
    ✓
    後ほどかけ直します。
    Why
    Not a grammar error, but note かけ直す presupposes an earlier failed or interrupted call.

見直す has a second meaning: 'reassess someone favourably' (彼を見直した = I think better of him now). 出直す means 'come back another time' (出直してきます). The noun form 〜直し appears in やり直し 'a do-over'.

JLPT N3 tips

On the exam

  • If the sentence mentions a mistake, a cut-off or a change of plan, choose 直す.
  • Compare with 込む, 切る, 抜く, かける in the same question set: 直す is the only one meaning 'again'.
  • 見直す may be tested with its 'reassess' meaning in reading passages.

Frequently asked questions

What does 〜直す / 〜なおす mean?

re-do… / do… again to fix or improve it. Verb stem + 直す means "do it again, this time properly": 書き直す "rewrite", やり直す "redo", 考え直す "rethink", かけ直す "call back". The key idea is fixing or improving, not simply repeating.

How do you form 〜直す / 〜なおす?

Verb ます-stem + 直す (Group 1 verb: 直した, 直して, 直します) / Common: 書き直す, やり直す, 考え直す, 見直す, かけ直す, 作り直す, 出直す, 読み直す. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

When is 〜直す / 〜なおす used?

Daily conversation, work and school (レポートを書き直す, 電話をかけ直す), and reflection (人生をやり直す). Extremely common; also used politely on the phone: 後でかけ直します.

What is the difference between 〜直す / 〜なおす and もう一度〜する?

Just 'do it once more', no implication of fixing. 直す implies improvement.

What is the difference between 〜直す / 〜なおす and 〜返す?

Repeating in the opposite direction or many times (読み返す = read again, 繰り返す = repeat). Not about correcting.

What is a common mistake with 〜直す / 〜なおす?

Wrong: 書く直す Right: 書き直す 直す attaches to the ます-stem.

Quick check

1 / 5Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5

字が汚いと言われたので、名前を（　　）。