振り返る

• Reading: ふりかえる
• Romaji: furikaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 振 (furi) — swing, turn; 返 (kae) — return, reverse
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.ɾi.ka.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To look back; to turn around; to reflect on; to review past events.

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb from 振る (swing/turn) + 返る (return). The physical sense is turning one's head or body to look behind. The figurative sense—reflecting on one's past, reviewing events, or reconsidering—is equally prominent. 人生を振り返る (reflecting on one's life) and 一年を振り返る (looking back on the year) are set phrases.

Examples

1. 彼女は立ち止まり、ゆっくりと振り返って笑いかけた。 She stopped, slowly turned around, and gave a smile.
2. 定年を迎え、三十年のキャリアを振り返ると感慨深い。 Reaching retirement and looking back on thirty years of career, I am filled with deep emotion.
3. 過去を振り返るだけでなく、未来を見据えることも大切だ。 It is important not only to look back on the past but also to keep an eye on the future.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, reflection, narrative, year-end reviews

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 振る (to swing/turn) + 返る (to return, reverse). The image is of swinging the body or head back to face what was left behind. The metaphorical use of looking back on the past is attested from the Edo period and is now firmly established.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal