却
却·reject, withdraw, on the contrary
- On-yomi
- キャク
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 返却 | へんきゃく | return (of a borrowed item) |
| 冷却 | れいきゃく | cooling |
| 退却 | たいきゃく | retreat, withdrawal |
| 却って | かえって | on the contrary, rather |
Example sentences
本の返却は明日までです。
ほんのへんきゃくはあしたまでです。
The books are due back tomorrow.
急いだら却って遅くなった。
いそいだらかえっておそくなった。
Hurrying actually made me later.
エンジンの冷却に問題があった。
エンジンのれいきゃくにもんだいがあった。
There was a problem with the engine's cooling.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 却って as きゃくって — the adverb is かえって
- Reading 返却 as へんかえ — it is へんきゃく
Memory aid
Picture it
去 (to leave) with a kneeling figure beside it — sending something back the way it came.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 却 mean?