Kanji N3

返: return, answer, fade

返 is a JLPT N3 kanji meaning return, answer, fade, written with 7 strokes. It is read ヘン (on) and かえす, かえる (kun). Children in Japan learn it in grade 3. You will see it in 返事 (へんじ, reply) and 繰り返す (くりかえす, to repeat).

返

Meanings

  • return
  • answer
  • fade
  • repay
Strokes7
JLPT levelN3
School gradeGrade 3
Frequency#685 of 2,500

On reading · Kun reading

On reading
  • ヘン

On'yomi: from Chinese, written in katakana. Used in compound words.

Kun reading
  • かえす
  • -かえす
  • かえる
  • -かえる

Kun'yomi: native Japanese, in hiragana. The faint part is the okurigana, written in kana after the kanji.

Watch the stroke order

Every stroke in order, the live one in vermilion. Replay as often as you like.

1234567

Now draw it

Trace each stroke in order. Wrong direction or wrong order gets flagged right away.

12345670 / 7

Your turn: draw stroke 1 of 7. Start at the dot.

Common words with 返

The most useful words written with it, easiest first. Every other kanji in them opens its own page.

  • 返事へんじ

    reply; answer; response

    JLPT N4
  • 繰り返すくりかえす

    to repeat; to do over again

    JLPT N3
  • 返すかえす

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

    JLPT N5
  • 返済へんさい

    repayment; reimbursement; refund; redemption

    JLPT N1
  • 返還へんかん

    return; restoration

    JLPT N1
  • 返答へんとう

    reply; answer

    JLPT N1
  • 裏返しうらがえし

    inside out; upside down

    JLPT N1
  • 折り返すおりかえす

    to turn up (hem, sleeves, etc.)

    JLPT N1

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Stroke order from KanjiVG © Ulrich Apel, CC BY-SA 3.0. Readings, meanings and words from KANJIDIC2 and JMdict, names from JMnedict, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA 4.0, and Wikidata, CC0. JLPT lists after Jonathan Waller (tanos.co.uk), CC BY.