返す・反す|かえすkaesu[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
返す返す is the most common written form, using a kanji followed by kana; it is the natural first choice for learners writing this word.
反す反す is a less common written form, also using a kanji followed by kana. Use it as an alternative rather than your first choice; 返す is more common.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto return (something); to restore; to put backesp. 返す
- godan verb, transitive verbto turn over; to turn upside down; to overturn
- godan verb, transitive verbto pay back; to retaliate; to reciprocateesp. 返す
- godan verb, transitive verbto respond (with); to retort; to reply; to say back
- auxiliary verb, godan verbto do ... back (e.g. speak back, throw back)after the -masu stem of a verb
- auxiliary verb, godan verbto do again; to do repeatedlyafter the -masu stem of a verb
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 返す（かえす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 返します（かえします） |
| Negative (nai) | 返さない（かえさない） |
| polite (masen) | 返しません（かえしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 返さず・返さぬ（かえさず・かえさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 返した（かえした） |
| polite (mashita) | 返しました（かえしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 返さなかった（かえさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 返しませんでした（かえしませんでした） |
| Te form | 返して（かえして） |
| Potential | 返せる（かえせる） |
| Passive | 返される（かえされる） |
| Causative | 返させる（かえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 返させられる（かえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 返せば（かえせば） |
| tara | 返したら（かえしたら） |
| Volitional | 返そう（かえそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 返しましょう（かえしましょう） |
| Imperative | 返せ（かえせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
元に返る
元に返す
返る emphasizes that something returns to its original state or place on its own, while 返す focuses on an agent deliberately causing that return.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym戻すもどすNeutralPuts something back where it was or restores it to its former state, as in 「元に戻す」; unlike 「返す」, it does not necessarily mean handing it back to someone.
- Synonym返還へんかんFormalFormal word for returning territory or property, often between nations or official bodies, as in 「領土返還」.
- Synonym返却へんきゃくWrittenWritten word for returning something borrowed, as in 「本を返却する」; typical of libraries and rental services.
- Synonym返納へんのうFormalFormal term for handing items such as licences back to the authorities, as in 「免許返納」.
- Synonym返済へんさいWrittenWritten word for repaying borrowed money or goods, as in 「ローンを返済する」; used mainly for loans and debts.
- Synonym還付かんぷFormalFormal term for a government office refunding overpaid taxes and the like, as in 「還付金」.
- Synonym返上へんじょうWrittenWritten word for voluntarily giving something up or handing it back, as in 「休日返上」 or 「汚名返上」.
- Related払い戻すはらいもどすNeutralRefunds money that has already been paid, as in 「料金を払い戻す」; about getting money back, not returning objects.
- Related払い戻しはらいもどしNeutralNoun form for a refund, as in 「払い戻しを受ける」; the noun counterpart of 「払い戻す」.
- Related弁済べんさいFormalFormal legal term for discharging a debt or paying compensation, as in 「債務を弁済する」.
- Related取り戻すとりもどすNeutralMeans taking back or regaining something you lost, as in 「自信を取り戻す」; the direction of movement is the opposite of 「返す」.
- Related帰すかえすWrittenWhen written 「帰す」, it means sending a person back or home, as in 「生徒を家に帰す」; the object is a person, not a thing.
- Relatedひっくり返すひっくりかえすCasualColloquial verb for flipping something over or overturning a conclusion, as in 「判定をひっくり返す」; about reversing, not giving back.
- Related割り戻すわりもどすWrittenWritten word for returning part of a payment proportionally, i.e. a rebate or kickback, as in 「割り戻し金」.
- Related返戻へんれいFormalFormal bureaucratic term for sending documents or applications back, as in 「書類を返戻する」.
- Related返付へんぷFormalFormal bureaucratic term for returning something held in custody or on deposit; very rarely used.
- Antonym取るとるNeutralAntonym of 「返す」: taking or getting something rather than giving it back.
- Antonym預かるあずかるNeutralAntonym of 「返す」: taking charge of someone's belongings and keeping them, the state before returning.
- Antonym借りるかりるNeutralAntonym of 「返す」: borrowing something that belongs to someone else; only afterwards do you need to 「返す」 it.
For giving something back, 「返す」 is the default. Use 「戻す」 for putting things back in place, 「返済」 for repaying loans, 「返却」 for returning borrowed items such as books, 「払い戻す」 for refunds, and 「帰す」 for sending a person home; 「借りる」 is the reverse, borrowing. The rest are specialised terms: 「返還」, 「返納」, 「還付」, 「弁済」, 「返戻」, 「返付」 for official, legal and financial contexts, 「返上」 for giving things up, 「ひっくり返す」 for flipping or overturning, 「取り戻す」 for taking back, 「割り戻す」 for rebates, 「払い戻し」 for a refund.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
