Kibisu wo Kaesu (踵を返す - Returning Back)

Kibisu wo Kaesu

When I read a Japanese novel, I found that the idiom 'kibisu wo kaesu' (踵を返す) appears repeatedly.

踵 (meaning "heel") is usually read as 'kakato', however, it is read as 'kibisu' (which is an old reading) in this idiom.

In addition, 'kaesu' (返す) means "to return" or "to take back," so the literal meaning of 'kibisu wo kaesu' is "to return one's heel(s)."

Imagine that you return your heels to the direction in which you had come -- in other words, this idiom means "to go back" or "to return back."

踵を返す

ある小説を読んでいると、「踵を返す」という表現が何度も出てきました。

"" を意味する「踵」は通常「かかと」と読みますが、この慣用句の中では「きびす」と読みます。

また、「返す」は "to return" や "to take back" を意味するので、「踵を返す」の文字どおりの意味は "to return one's heel(s)" となります。

「踵」を元来た方角に戻すことから、「踵を返す」は「後戻りする」や「引き返す」といった意味を持ちます。

In English, I think that this would mean "to turn tail (and run)."

It basically means 引き返す (to retrace one's steps) but has has an extra dimension of fear and/or cowardice. Like how a cat will draw in its tail if feels threatened.

• Kibisu wo Kaesu (踵を返す - Returning Back)
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• Kibisu wo Kaesu
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• When I read a Japanese novel, I found that the idiom 'kibisu wo kaesu' (踵を返す) appears repeatedly.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• 踵 (meaning "heel") is usually read as 'kakato', however, it is read as 'kibisu' (which is an old reading) in this idiom.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• In addition, 'kaesu' (返す) means "to return" or "to take back," so the literal meaning of 'kibisu wo kaesu' is "to return one's heel(s)."
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• Imagine that you return your heels to the direction in which you had come -- in other words, this idiom means "to go back" or "to return back."
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

Is the Japanese language hard to learn or master even for Japanese people? (just curious ^ ^ )