How to say "comeback" in Japanese

• 復帰ふっきCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers a comeback in the sense of returning to a position, field, or activity one had left, such as an athlete or politician returning after an absence. The nuance is resumption of a former role rather than victory after defeat.
  二に年ねん後ごにその歌手かしゅは復帰ふっきした。↗

  Two years later, the singer came back.
• 再起さいきCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers a comeback after failure, defeat, or injury, with emphasis on recovering one's strength and standing back up. Typical contexts include an entertainer or businessperson making a fresh start after a major setback.
  その選手せんしゅは見事みごとに再起さいきした。↗

  The player made a splendid comeback.
• カムバックJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe loanword, matching 'comeback' directly and used especially in sports and entertainment for a return to competition or activity. Because it is a straightforward borrowing, it is an easy, safe choice when the context is a public return.
• 返り咲きかえりざきCommon
  nounA comeback in the sense of regaining a former position or standing, notably in business, such as returning to a leadership role after leaving. It carries the image of flowering a second time.
• 巻き返しまきかえしCommon
  nounCovers a comeback as a rally or recovery of ground after falling behind, as in sports matches, elections, or market performance. The nuance is turning a losing situation back around rather than returning to an old position.

Choose 復帰 for returning to a former position or activity, 再起 for recovering from failure or setback, 「カムバック」 as the direct loanword, 「返り咲き」 for regaining a former business or rank standing, and 「巻き返し」 for rallying back after a losing streak.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 復帰ふっきreturn
• 再起さいきcomeback
• カムバックcomeback
• 返り咲きかえりざきcomeback (e.g. in business)
• 巻き返しまきかえしrally
• 復活ふっかつrevival (of an old system, custom, fashion, etc.)
• 逆転ぎゃくてんreversal (of a situation)
• 逆転劇ぎゃくてんげきcomeback (e.g. in sports)
• 戦列復帰せんれつふっきreturn to the line (of battle)
• 敗者復活はいしゃふっかつreturning to the competition (after a loss)
• つっこみquip