取り返す・取返す|とりかえすtorikaesu[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
取り返す取り返す（とりかえす） is the more common written form and the recommended choice for beginners when writing this word.
取返す取返す（とりかえす） is a less common written variant; you may encounter it, but beginners should generally choose 取り返す（とりかえす）.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto get back; to regain; to recover; to make up (for); to catch up on
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 取り返す（とりかえす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 取り返します（とりかえします） |
| Negative (nai) | 取り返さない（とりかえさない） |
| polite (masen) | 取り返しません（とりかえしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 取り返さず・取り返さぬ（とりかえさず・とりかえさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 取り返した（とりかえした） |
| polite (mashita) | 取り返しました（とりかえしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 取り返さなかった（とりかえさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 取り返しませんでした（とりかえしませんでした） |
| Te form | 取り返して（とりかえして） |
| Potential | 取り返せる（とりかえせる） |
| Passive | 取り返される（とりかえされる） |
| Causative | 取り返させる（とりかえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 取り返させられる（とりかえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 取り返せば（とりかえせば） |
| tara | 取り返したら（とりかえしたら） |
| Volitional | 取り返そう（とりかえそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 取り返しましょう（とりかえしましょう） |
| Imperative | 取り返せ（とりかえせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym取り戻すとりもどすNeutralNear-synonym: to take back or restore. Basically interchangeable with 「取り返す」, but more common for regaining abstract things like health or confidence.
- Synonym奪回だっかいWrittenWritten/formal: recapturing things or positions that were seized. Used in war and match reporting; strongly literary in tone.
- Synonym奪還だっかんWrittenWritten/formal: retaking or recovering something, e.g. 「王座奪還」. Mostly seen in sports and military reporting.
- Antonym手放すてばなすNeutralAntonym: letting go of or giving up possessions. Opposite of 「取り返す」, which is about getting things back.
- Antonym失ううしなうNeutralAntonym: to lose or forfeit what one had. Opposite of 「取り返す」, which is about regaining it.
- Antonym放棄するNeutralAntonym: voluntarily giving up rights or duties. Opposite of 「取り返す」, which is about winning things back.
Use 「取り返す」 to get back something taken from you or to make up for a loss. For restoring abstract states like health or confidence, 「取り戻す」 is more common; in news reports about recapturing something, 「奪還」 is the word.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
