Japanese symbol for “backtracking”

後戻り

あともどり

Romaji: atomodori

going backward; turning back; backtracking; doubling back

In Japanese, backtracking is 後戻り, read あともどり (atomodori).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n, vi, vs going backward; turning back; backtracking; doubling back
n, vi, vs regression; retrogression; relapse; returning to a bad state

Kanji and stroke order

後

behind, back, later

on: ゴ、コウ
kun: のち、うし.ろ、うしろ、あと

9 strokes · JLPT 4

戻

re-, return, revert

on: レイ
kun: もど.す、もど.る

7 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “backtracking”

Word	Reading	Meaning
逆戻り	ぎゃくもどり gyakumodori	retrogression; reversal; relapse

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
最後	さいご saigo	end; conclusion
今後	こんご kongo	from now on; hereafter
午後	ごご gogo	afternoon; p.m.
後半	こうはん kouhan	second half; latter half
後ろ	うしろ ushiro	back; behind; rear
直後	ちょくご chokugo	immediately following
戻す	もどす modosu	to put back; to return; to give back
戻し	もどし modoshi	returning; giving back

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.