折り返す|おりかえすorikaesu[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, transitive verbto turn up (hem, sleeves, etc.); to fold back (e.g. page)
  2. godan verb, transitive verbto turn back; to double back; to return
  3. godan verb, transitive verb, computingto loopback (a signal, message, etc.)
Conjugation
Dictionary form折り返す(おりかえす)
Polite (masu)折り返します(おりかえします)
Negative (nai)折り返さない(おりかえさない)
polite (masen)折り返しません(おりかえしません)
classical zu / nu折り返さず・折り返さぬ(おりかえさず・おりかえさぬ)
Past (ta)折り返した(おりかえした)
polite (mashita)折り返しました(おりかえしました)
Past negative (nakatta)折り返さなかった(おりかえさなかった)
polite (masen deshita)折り返しませんでした(おりかえしませんでした)
Te form折り返して(おりかえして)
Potential折り返せる(おりかえせる)
Passive折り返される(おりかえされる)
Causative折り返させる(おりかえさせる)
Causative passive折り返させられる(おりかえさせられる)
Conditional (ba)折り返せば(おりかえせば)
tara折り返したら(おりかえしたら)
Volitional折り返そう(おりかえそう)
polite (mashou)折り返しましょう(おりかえしましょう)
Imperative折り返せ(おりかえせ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Related引き返すひきかえすNeutralGoing back the way you came, focused on turning back midway (「途中で引き返す」); 折り返す also covers turning around at the endpoint or calling back.
  • Related後戻りあともどりNeutralA noun for backtracking or going backward (「議論が後戻りする」), used mostly in abstract senses like an argument regressing.
  • Related戻るもどるNeutralThe most general word for returning to where you were (「家に戻る」); it does not highlight the act of turning around.
  • Related取って返すとってかえすNeutralRushing back at once (「忘れ物に気づいて取って返す」); stresses immediacy and leans toward written/formal prose.
  • Related引っ返すひっかえすNeutralA colloquial form of 引き返す (「慌てて引っ返す」) with a more casual tone.
  • Related出戻るでもどるNeutralReturning to one's parents' home after divorce or to a former employer after leaving a job (「出戻り社員」); the former can carry a slightly disparaging nuance.

Use 「折り返す」 for turning around at a turnaround point, folding cloth back, or calling back (「折り返し地点」「折り返し電話します」). For turning back partway, use 「引き返す」; for going back in general, 「戻る」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 二に重じゅうに折おること。
  2. 引き返ひきかえす。
  3. 繰り返くりかえす。
Kanji in this word

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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