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This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

返す

反す

Reading

Kana: かえす
Romaji: kaesu
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

v5s
vt
1

to return (something); to restore; to put back

Note: esp. 返す
See also: 帰す (reading かえす)
2

to turn over; to turn upside down; to overturn

3

to pay back; to retaliate; to reciprocate

Note: esp. 返す
suf
v5s
4

to repeat ...; to do ... back

Note: after the -masu stem of a verb

Kanji

返
Readings: ヘン、 かえ.す、 -かえ.す、 かえ.る、 -かえ.る
Meanings: return, answer, fade, repay
反
Readings: ハン、 ホン、 タン、 ホ、 そ.る、 そ.らす、 かえ.す、 かえ.る、 -かえ.る
Meaning: anti-

Example Sentences

引(ひ)き返(かえ)そう。
➥Let's turn back.
Full Entry➤
恩(おん)をあだで返(かえ)すな。
➥You bit the hand that fed you.
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彼(かれ)は私(わたし)を殴(なぐ)り返(かえ)した。
➥He hit me back.
Full Entry➤
歴史(れきし)は繰(く)り返(かえ)す。
➥History repeats itself.
Full Entry➤
お金(かね)は明日(あした)返(かえ)すよ。
➥I'll give you back the money tomorrow.
Full Entry➤
図書館(としょかん)に本(ほん)を返(かえ)した。
➥She took the book back to the library.
Full Entry➤
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