返
返·return something, reply
- On-yomi
- ヘン
- Kun-yomi
- かえすかえる
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 返す | かえす | to give back, to return something |
| 返事 | へんじ | reply, answer |
| 返信 | へんしん | a reply (letter, email) |
| 繰り返す | くりかえす | to repeat |
Example sentences
図書館に本を返しました。
としょかんにほんをかえしました。
I returned the books to the library.
メールの返事をまだ書いていません。
めーるのへんじをまだかいていません。
I still haven't written a reply to the email.
同じ間違いを繰り返さないようにします。
おなじまちがいをくりかえさないようにします。
I'll try not to repeat the same mistake.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Using 帰す where 返す is needed — you 返す a borrowed book, you 帰る home
- Reading 返事 as *かえりごと instead of へんじ
Memory aid
Picture it
反 (turn back, oppose) on the road radical 辶 — it goes back down the road to where it came from.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 返事するへんじするto reply
- 返信するへんしんするto reply (to a message)
- 引き返すひきかえすto turn back
- 聞き返すききかえすto ask again
- 繰り返すくりかえすto repeat
- 返すかえすto return (something)
- 返事へんじreply, answer
- 返却へんきゃくreturning (a borrowed item)
- 返済するへんさいするto repay
- 振り返るふりかえるto look back; to turn around
- 引っ繰り返すひっくりかえすto turn over, to overturn, to knock over, to upset; to turn inside out; to reverse (a decision)
- 引っ繰り返るひっくりかえるto be overturned, to topple over, to fall on one's back, to be reversed
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 返 mean?