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返
Return, Give Back
かえ-す (kae-su), かえ-る (kae-ru)
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
The kanji 返 appears in everyday words like 返事 (reply), 返品 (returned item), and 返す (to return). Whether it's a borrowed book or an email, the core idea is 'giving something back.'
Memory Trick
Imagine BORROWING a book from a friend and later RETURNING it with a smile. That's the meaning of 返.
Readings
Onyomi: ヘン (hen)
Kunyomi: かえ-す (kae-su), かえ-る (kae-ru)
Example Words
返す
かえす (kaesu)
To return
返事
へんじ (henji)
Reply
返品
へんぴん (henpin)
Returned goods
返却
へんきゃく (henkyaku)
Returning
Example Sentence
図書館へ 本を 返しました。
としょかんへ ほんを かえしました。
toshokan e hon o kaeshimashita
I returned the book to the library.