取り戻す

• Reading: とりもどす
• Romaji: torimodosu
• Kanji breakdown: 取 (tori/shu) — take, grasp; 戻 (modo/tai) — return, restore
• Pronunciation: /to.ɾi.mo.do.sɯ/

Meaning

To take back; to regain; to recover something lost.

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb from 取り (tori) + 戻す (modosu — to return, to restore). 取り戻す is one of the most productive compound verbs in everyday Japanese, used for reclaiming physical possessions, recovering health or reputation, regaining a lead in sports, or restoring a lost emotional state. The subject actively takes back something, making it more assertive than 回復する (to recover passively).

Examples

1. 手術から三ヶ月後、彼女はようやく元の体力を取り戻した。 Three months after the operation, she finally regained her former physical strength.
2. チームは後半に怒濤の攻撃で逆転し、リードを取り戻した。 The team launched a fierce attack in the second half to overturn the score and regain the lead.
3. 失ってしまった信頼を取り戻すには、行動で示すしかない。 The only way to regain lost trust is to demonstrate it through actions.

Usage Guide

Context: health, sports, relationships, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

取り (tori — to take) + 戻す (modosu — to return, restore, from 戻 meaning return). The combination stresses the active reclaiming of something that had been taken away or lost.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal