Readings: ヘン (Onyomi), かえ-す, かえ-る (Kunyomi)
Meaning: return, send back, reply
The kanji 返 is composed of the radical 辶 (しんにょう), meaning “walk” or “movement,” and the component 反 (はん/そ-る), which signifies “to return,” “to reverse,” or “to turn over.” Together, these elements convey the meaning of moving back or returning to a previous state or place.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 返 is written with 7 strokes. It begins with the three strokes of the “walk” radical 辶, followed by the strokes of 反. Pay attention to the sweeping final stroke of 辶.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 辶 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 中学校 (Junior High School) |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ヘン (hen)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- かえす (kaesu)
- かえる (kaeru)
Common Words Using 返
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 返事 | へんじ | reply, answer |
| 返却 | へんきゃく | return (something) |
| 返済 | へんさい | repayment |
| 返品 | へんぴん | returned goods |
| 返還 | へんかん | return, restoration |
| 返金 | へんきん | refund |
| 返信 | へんしん | reply (email/letter) |
| 返上 | へんじょう | surrender, relinquish |
| 返却口 | へんきゃくぐち | return slot/counter |
| 返礼品 | へんれいひん | return gift |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 返す | かえす | to return (something), to give back |
| 返る | かえる | to return (oneself, to a state), to come back |
| 振り返る | ふりかえる | to look back, to reflect |
| 折り返す | おりかえす | to fold back, to turn back, to call back |
| 言い返す | いいかえす | to talk back, to retort |
| やり返す | やりかえす | to do something back, to retaliate |
| 聞き返す | ききかえす | to ask again, to ask back |
| 見返す | みかえす | to look back, to look over again, to get revenge |
| 引き返す | ひきかえす | to turn back, to return |
| 送り返す | おくりかえす | to send back |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 本を返しました。
Kana: ほんをかえしました。
Romaji: Hon o kaeshimashita.
English: I returned the book.
Japanese: 彼からの返事を待っています。
Kana: かれからのへんじをまっています。
Romaji: Kare kara no henji o matteimasu.
English: I’m waiting for his reply.
Japanese: 貸したお金を返してもらった。
Kana: かしたおかねをかえしてもらった。
Romaji: Kashita okane o kaeshite moratta.
English: I got the money I lent back.
Japanese: メールの返信が遅れてすみません。
Kana: メールのへんしんがおくれてすみません。
Romaji: Meeru no henshin ga okurete sumimasen.
English: Sorry for the late reply to your email.
Japanese: お店に返品しました。
Kana: おみせにへんぴんしました。
Romaji: Omise ni henpin shimashita.
English: I returned the goods to the store.
Japanese: 電車が折り返し運転をしています。
Kana: でんしゃがおりかえしうんてんをしています。
Romaji: Densha ga orikaeshi unten o shiteimasu.
English: The train is turning back (operating a shuttle service).
Japanese: 昔を振り返ると、色々な思い出があります。
Kana: むかしをふりかえるといろいろなおもいでがあります。
Romaji: Mukashi o furikaeru to, iroiro na omoide ga arimasu.
English: When I look back at the past, I have many memories.
Japanese: 彼の暴言に言い返した。
Kana: かれのぼうげんにいいかえした。
Romaji: Kare no bougen ni iikaeshita.
English: I talked back to his abusive remarks.
Japanese: 忘れ物をしたので、駅まで引き返した。
Kana: わすれものをしたのでえきまでひきかえした。
Romaji: Wasuremono o shita node, eki made hikikaeshita.
English: I forgot something, so I turned back to the station.
Japanese: 彼女は私ににっこり微笑み返した。
Kana: かのじょはわたしににっこりほほえみかえした。
Romaji: Kanojo wa watashi ni nikkori hohoemi kaeshita.
English: She smiled back at me.
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