返却|へんきゃくhenkyaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbreturn of something; repayment
   その本ほんを図書館としょかんへ返却へんきゃくしましたか。↗

   Did you take the book back to the library?

• Synonym返還へんかんWrittenWritten/formal: returning something to its original owner, e.g. territory or a trophy (「優勝旗返還」); more elevated than 「返却」, used for borrowed books and other items.
• Synonym返納へんのうNeutralHanding a permit or document received back to the authorities, e.g. 「免許返納」; the emphasis is on returning things to officials.
• Synonym還付かんぷFormalFormal: an official body returning money or items it borrowed or over-collected, as in 「還付金」; unlike 「返却」, it is limited to such official refunds.
• Synonym返上へんじょうNeutralHanding something back, or giving it up of one's own accord, as in 「汚名返上」「休日返上」; it can also be a humble way to say 'return', but its focus is on relinquishing.
• Synonym返送へんそうNeutralMailing something back to its sender; the focus is on returning things by post, whereas 「返却」 is the general act of returning.
• Synonym戻しもどしNeutralColloquial noun for returning or sending something back, also used of vomit; it seldom stands alone, so 「返却」 is the safer choice.
• Synonym返すかえすNeutralThe everyday verb for returning something, the most common choice in daily speech; 「返却」 is its written, Sino-Japanese counterpart.
• Synonym返金へんきんNeutralRefunding money that was paid or entrusted; the focus is on money alone, so use 「返却」 when returning objects.
• Synonym返済へんさいNeutralRepaying borrowed money, as in 「ローン返済」; the focus is on paying off debts rather than returning things.
• Synonym戻すもどすNeutralVerb for putting something back in place or restoring a previous state; the emphasis is on restoration, not on handing back a borrowed item.
• Related払い戻すはらいもどすNeutralVerb for refunding money or paying out deposits; the focus is on returning money rather than objects.
• Related弁済べんさいFormalFormal legal term for repaying a debt or paying compensation; the emphasis is on settling what is owed rather than on handing an item back.
• Related償還しょうかんFormalFormal financial term for repaying or redeeming bonds and loans, as in 「国債の償還」; it belongs to the financial sphere, not everyday returning.
• Related払い戻しはらいもどしNeutralNoun for a refund or payout of money; the focus is on the procedure of getting money back, not on returning objects.
• Related割り戻すわりもどすNeutralVerb for returning part of the purchase price to the buyer or giving a kickback; the focus is on cash back as a discount.
• Antonym貸与たいよNeutralAntonym: lending money or goods out on the promise of their return; it is the opposite side of 「返却」.
• Antonym借用しゃくようNeutralAntonym: borrowing or taking something into use; it stands at the opposite end of the process from 「返却」.

Use 「返却」 for returning borrowed or received items, as in 「本の返却」 and 「答案の返却」. For returning something to its original owner say 「返還」, and for handing permits or documents back to the authorities say 「返納」. In everyday speech the verb 「返す」 is the natural choice, while 「返済」 covers repaying money such as loans. For money refunds use 「返金」 or 「払い戻し」, for mailing something back 「返送」, and for legal or financial repayment 「弁済」 or 「償還」. The antonyms are 「貸与」 (lending out) and 「借用」 (borrowing).

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 借かりていたものや、受け取うけとったものなどを、返かえすこと。