帰宅

• Reading: きたく
• Romaji: kitaku
• Kanji breakdown: 帰 (ki) — return, go home; 宅 (taku) — home, residence
• Pronunciation: /ki.ta.kɯ/

Meaning

Returning home. The act of going back to one's house after being out.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (帰宅する). More formal than 家に帰る (to go home). Commonly used in work and school contexts (帰宅時間, time of returning home; 帰宅途中, on the way home). Also appears in compounds like 帰宅ラッシュ (homeward rush hour). Implies returning to one's own residence specifically, not just any departure.

Examples

1. 今日は遅くなるので帰宅は九時ごろになる。 I'll be home late today — probably around nine.
2. 帰宅途中に雨が降り始めた。 It started raining on my way home.
3. 子供たちが帰宅するまでに夕食を作る。 I'll have dinner ready before the kids get home.

Usage Guide

Context: work, school, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 帰 (ki, return/go home) and 宅 (taku, home/residence). Together, 'returning to one's residence' — a formal expression for the everyday act of going home.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal