1.
returning to one's hometown, going home to visit family
A visit back to one's hometown or parents' home, typically during holidays or vacation periods. A culturally significant practice in Japan, especially during Obon, New Year's, and Golden Week.
お盆に帰省する。
To go home for Obon.
年末は帰省ラッシュで新幹線が混む。
At year-end, the Shinkansen gets crowded with the homecoming rush.
今年のゴールデンウィークは久しぶりに帰省して、実家で家族とゆっくり過ごした。
This Golden Week, I went back to my hometown for the first time in a while and spent a relaxed time with my family at my parents' house.
STRUCTURE:
帰 (return) + 省 (reflect; visit parents). The character 省 here carries its classical meaning of visiting one's parents.
USAGE:
帰省 is used both as a noun and as a する verb (帰省する). It specifically refers to returning to one's hometown or parents' home, not just going home in general. The 帰省ラッシュ (homecoming rush) during major holidays like お盆, 年末年始, and ゴールデンウィーク is a well-known phenomenon in Japan, causing heavy congestion on highways and trains.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 帰省する: to return to one's hometown
- 帰省ラッシュ: homecoming rush
- 帰省先: hometown destination
- 帰省土産: souvenirs brought when visiting home