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Kotomora

復

restore, return to, revert, resume

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 500Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • フク

Kun'yomi

  • また

Meaning

復 centers on going back to a previous state: restoring something, returning to a place or condition, reverting to an earlier form, or resuming an activity after a pause.

Most common words using 復

20 of 218
  • 復活ふっかつ
    N1

    revival (of an old system, custom, fashion, etc.); restoration; return; comeback

  • 回復かいふく
    N3

    restoration; recovery; rehabilitation; return; improvement

  • 復帰ふっき
    N1

    return; reversion; comeback; reinstatement

  • 復興ふっこう
    N2

    revival; reconstruction; restoration; rebuilding; recovery; renaissance

  • 復讐ふくしゅう
    N1

    revenge

  • 修復しゅうふく
    N1

    restoration; repair; mending

  • 往復おうふく
    N3

    making a round trip; going and returning; coming and going

  • 復旧ふっきゅう
    N2

    restoration; restitution; rehabilitation

  • 復元ふくげん

    restoration (to the original state or location); reconstruction; restitution

  • 報復ほうふく

    retaliation; revenge; reprisal; retribution

  • 復刻ふっこく

    republication; reissue; reprinting; reproduction

  • 復習ふくしゅう
    N4

    review (of learned material); revision

  • 復縁ふくえん

    reconciliation (with one's spouse, adopted child, etc.)

  • 反復はんぷく

    repetition; repeat; reiteration

  • 復職ふくしょく

    reinstatement; reappointment

  • 復権ふっけん

    rehabilitation; reinstatement; restoration of rights

  • 復調ふくちょう

    recovery; return to form; regaining one's (usual) form

  • 復号ふくごう

    decoding; decryption

  • 整復せいふく

    reposition

  • 復古ふっこ

    revival; restoration

Explore all words using 復 →

Study

Etymology

復 combines 彳 (movement) with 复, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of returning or repeating. The character expresses going back or restoring.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 彳 suggests movement, and the right side 复 looks like a person retracing steps. Picture someone walking back along a path to restore what was left behind.

Reading mnemonic

For フク, imagine restoring an old book: you carefully put back the cover and say 'fook' (like a soft 'hook') as it snaps into place. Fook -> フク.