# 返 — give back; return

返 means “give back; return”. It is a JLPT N3 kanji written with 7 strokes. On'yomi: ヘン (hen). Kun'yomi: かえ(す) (kaesu). You'll see it in words such as 返す (kaesu, “to return; to restore”).

- Meaning: give back; return
- On'yomi: ヘン (hen)
- Kun'yomi: かえ(す) (kaesu)
- Strokes: 7
- Level: JLPT N3 · set Moving 2

## How to remember 返

Turn back (反) along the road (辶): give it back.

Parts: 反 turn back · 辶 road

## Words with 返

| Word | Reading | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 返す | かえす (kaesu) | to return; to restore |
| 返る | かえる (kaeru) | to return; to come back |
| お返し | おかえし (okaeshi) | return gift; return favour |

## Don't confuse it with

[反](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/against/) · [阪](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/osaka/) · [坂](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/slope/) · [板](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/board/)

## More in the “Moving 2” set

[退](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/retreat/) · [渡](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/cross/) · [移](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/shift/) · [登](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/climb/) · [返](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/give-back/) · [泳](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/swim/)

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From Moji Ninja (https://moji.ninja/), a free app for learning hiragana, katakana and the JLPT kanji from N5 to N1 with spaced repetition. Page: https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/give-back/. Last updated 2026-11-01.