返す vs 戻す
JLPT N5 vocabulary · what is the difference?
返す is giving something back to the person or place it came from — its owner or lender. 戻す is putting something back into the position it was in. Returning a borrowed book to the library is 返す; putting a book back on the shelf you took it from is 戻す.
When to use each
返す
かえす
Use 返す when something was borrowed, lent or received and now goes back to whoever it belongs to. There is another party involved.
図書館に本を返しました。
としょかんにほんをかえしました。
I returned the book to the library.
借りたお金は来週返します。
かりたおかねはらいしゅうかえします。
I'll pay back the money I borrowed next week.
戻す
もどす
Use 戻す when something moves back to its original place or original state. No owner is involved — only a position.
読んだ本は棚に戻してください。
よんだほんはたなにもどしてください。
Please put the books you've read back on the shelf.
いすを元の場所に戻しました。
いすをもとのばしょにもどしました。
I put the chair back where it was.
Sentences where only one works
友達にペンを返しました。
ともだちにペンをかえしました。
I gave my friend's pen back to her.
The pen has an owner, so 返す. 戻す would sound like you merely moved it back to a spot.
使ったはさみを引き出しに戻してください。
つかったはさみをひきだしにもどしてください。
Please put the scissors back in the drawer.
The drawer is a place, not an owner, so 戻す.
話を元に戻しますね。
はなしをもとにもどしますね。
Let me get back to the topic.
Returning to an earlier state — only 戻す works here, and 元に返す is not Japanese.
この店では買った物を返すことができます。
このみせではかったものをかえすことができます。
You can return purchased items at this shop.
The goods go back to the shop they came from, so 返す.
Common mistakes
本を棚に返してください。
本を棚に戻してください。
A shelf does not own the book. 返す needs a person or institution that lent it; for a position, use 戻す. This is the most common slip with this pair.
図書館に本を戻しました。
図書館に本を返しました。
The library lent the book, so it is 返す. 戻す would suggest you merely carried the book back into the building.
Frequently asked questions
What about returning a library book to its shelf inside the library?
Then 戻す is right: 本を棚に戻す. The test is whether you are settling a loan (返す) or restoring a position (戻す).
Can I say 元に返す?
No — the set phrase is 元に戻す. 返す does not take 元に.
Which one for replying to an email?
返す. メールを返す and 返事を返す are natural; 戻す would not be used here.