How do you say "to return (put back)" in Japanese?

返す

kaesu

Verb Kanji

In Japanese, "to return (put back)" is 返す (kaesu).

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Pronunciation

返す is written using kanji. Romanised as kaesu, it sounds roughly like "kah-eh-soo" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

The kanji 返 shows a hand or action with a reversing element, depicting giving back or turning something the opposite direction.

Example sentence

一緒に返しますか？

Issho ni kaeshimasu ka?

Shall we to return (put back) together?

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How to remember 返す

Giving something back by reversing its direction. Picture handing something back to where it came from.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more Japanese verbs.

Questions about 返す

How do you pronounce 返す?

返す is romanised as kaesu. Say it roughly like "kah-eh-soo" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is 返す formal or casual?

返す is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is 返す written in Japanese?

返す is written using kanji. The kanji 返 shows a hand or action with a reversing element, depicting giving back or turning something the opposite direction..

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"To return (put back)" in other languages

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