取り返しがつかない

• Reading: とりかえしがつかない
• Romaji: torikaeshi ga tsukanai
• Kanji breakdown: 取 (tori) — take; 返 (kaeshi) — return, reverse
• Pronunciation: /to.ɾi.ka.e.ɕi.ɡa.tsɯ.ka.nai/

Meaning

Cannot be undone; irreversible. Describes a situation that is impossible to recover from.

An idiomatic expression combining 取り返し (recovery, from 取り返す 'to take back/recover') with がつかない (cannot be achieved). Used as a warning or expression of regret about irreversible consequences. Often appears in patterns like 取り返しがつかないことになる (it will become irreversible) and 取り返しのつかない失敗 (an irrecoverable mistake). Carries strong emotional weight.

Examples

1. 一度失った信頼は取り返しがつかない。 Trust, once lost, cannot be recovered.
2. 取り返しがつかないことになる前に対策を考えよう。 Let's think of countermeasures before things become irreversible.
3. あのとき嘘をついたのは取り返しがつかない過ちだった。 Lying back then was an irreversible mistake.

Usage Guide

Context: warning, regret, advice, daily life

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From 取り返し (torikaeshi, recovery — from the verb 取り返す, to take back/recover) + が + つかない (cannot be attached/achieved). Literally 'recovery cannot be made,' meaning the situation is beyond the point of being retrievable.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal