Japanese symbol for “regain”

取り戻す

とりもどす

Romaji: torimodosu

to take back; to get back; to regain; to recover

In Japanese, regain is 取り戻す, read とりもどす (torimodosu).

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

v5s, vt to take back; to get back; to regain; to recover; to restore; to recoup

Written forms: 取り戻す、とり戻す、取りもどす、取戻す. Readings: とりもどす.

Kanji and stroke order

取

take, fetch, take up

on: シュ
kun: と.る、と.り、と.り-、とり

8 strokes · JLPT 2

戻

re-, return, revert

on: レイ
kun: もど.す、もど.る

7 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “regain”

Word	Reading	Meaning
取り返す	とりかえす torikaesu	to get back; to regain; to recover

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
取引	とりひき torihiki	transactions; dealings; business
買取	かいとり kaitori	purchase; buying; buying out
取得	しゅとく shutoku	obtaining (a qualification, right, object, etc.); acquisition (of land, property, etc.); gaining possession (of)
取る	とる toru	to take; to pick up; to grab
取材	しゅざい shuzai	gathering material (for an article, novel, etc.); collecting information; covering (an event, incident, etc.)
取締役	とりしまりやく torishimariyaku	company director; board member
戻す	もどす modosu	to put back; to return; to give back
戻し	もどし modoshi	returning; giving back

See also: Chinese symbol for “regain”.

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.