1.
to come to one's senses; to regain composure; to snap out of it
To return to a normal, rational state of mind after being absorbed, shocked, dazed, or emotionally overwhelmed. Literally 'to return to oneself.'
はっと我に返った。
I suddenly came to my senses.
大きな声に我に返って、周りを見回した。
A loud voice snapped me out of it, and I looked around.
しばらく呆然としていたが、やがて我に返って救急車を呼んだ。
I stood dazed for a while, but eventually came to my senses and called an ambulance.
USAGE:
A literary set expression meaning to return from a state of distraction, shock, or absorption to normal awareness. Often preceded by はっと (with a start) to emphasize the sudden return to reality.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- はっと我に返る (to suddenly snap back to reality)
- ふと我に返る (to casually come to one's senses)
- 我に返って〜する (to come to one's senses and do ~)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 気がつく: to notice, to realize — broader meaning, includes noticing things
- 正気に戻る: to regain sanity — stronger, implies more extreme disorientation