返す · godan verb (-su)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 返す | 返さない |
| Polite | 返します | 返しません |
| Past polite | 返しました | 返しませんでした |
| Past | 返した | 返さなかった |
| Te-form | 返して | 返さないで |
| Desire | 返したい | 返したくない |
| Potential | 返せる | 返せない |
| Passive | 返される | 返されない |
| Causative | 返させる | 返させない |
| Causative passive | 返させられる | 返させられない |
| Volitional | 返そう | |
| Polite volitional | 返しましょう | |
| Imperative | 返せ | 返すな |
| Conditional | 返せば | 返さなければ |
| Tara conditional | 返したら | 返さなかったら |
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
Returning a physical object to its original place or owner. Often used with ～を返す.
See also: 帰す (かえす)
借りた本を図書館に返した。
I returned the borrowed book to the library.
Please put it back where it was when you're done.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
Physically turning something over, such as a card, a page, or an object. 反す is sometimes used for this sense.
Turn over the card and check the number.
He changed his attitude as if flipping his palm.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
Returning a favor, money, or an action, including negative retaliation. Common in phrases like 恩を返す (repay a kindness) or 仕返しをする (get revenge).
I have to pay back the debt soon.
I want to repay his kindness someday.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
Responding verbally, often with a sharp or quick reply. Used with words like 言葉を返す or 言い返す.
He immediately replied.
I was complained at, so I talked back.
auxiliary verb, godan verb (-su)
do back; return an action
Auxiliary verb attached to the -masu stem of another verb, meaning to do that action back in return. Often implies a reciprocal or retaliatory action.
He waved, so I waved back.
I hit back the ball that my opponent hit to me.
auxiliary verb, godan verb (-su)
Auxiliary verb attached to the -masu stem of another verb, meaning to do that action again or repeatedly. Less common than the 'do back' auxiliary sense.
I asked the same question again and again.
I failed, so I did it over from the beginning.
I returned the book I had borrowed to my friend.
I turned over one playing card.
He talked back to the teacher.
Since I got hit, I hit him back.
繰り返す means to repeat an action over and over, while 返す as an auxiliary can also mean 'to do again,' though it is less common for general repetition.
答える is a neutral verb for answering a question, while 返す in this sense implies a quick or sharp verbal retort.
返す means to return an object or reply to its original owner, whereas 折り返す adds the nuance of folding or doubling back before returning it.
返す is a broad verb for returning anything (objects or money), whereas 払い戻す is used specifically for refunding money that was paid.
返す is a broad verb for giving or returning something to someone, while 送り返す emphasizes physically sending it back through mail, courier, or transport.
返す is used for returning something physical or literal, while 報じる in its repayment sense refers to abstractly repaying a favor or kindness.
return gift; reciprocal favor · revenge; retaliation · change; money returned
by return; without delay · lapel; cuff; turn-up; flap · going back; returning; turn · chorus; refrain · shuttle service · aliasing · back-to-back; BTB · wrapping; wrap
recovery; undoing; recall
turn over; flip; turn upside down; turn inside out · knock over; tip over · overturn (a decision); reverse; upset
repaying a kindness; returning a favor
endpaper; end-paper · facing (of a garment) · looking back; triumphing over a rival
inside out; upside down · flip side; opposite; reverse
payback; retaliation; revenge · doing over again; redoing
turning back; returning
look back at; stare back at · look at again; re-examine · get one's own back; prove oneself superior; put to shame · look back; look behind oneself
get back; regain; recover; make up for; catch up on
rally; comeback; recovery · winding back; rewinding
reply; retort; talking back
rethink; think back on; change one's mind
reread; read again
counterattack; slashing back · railway switchback · twisting backward knee trip
turn back; go back; retrace one's steps
retort; answer back; fire back; reply in kind · redo; do over; try again
fold back; turn up · turn back; double back; return · loop back; loopback
plot twist; complete reversal; unexpected turn of events · rotating stage mechanism; revolving stage trick
reheat by steaming; steam over again · bring up again; rehash; drag up
turn inside out; turn over; flip
talk back; answer back; retort; reply · repeat back; say again; say over
reject; repel; repulse · bounce back; counterattack; strike back
retaliation; payback; tit for tat
send back; return
drive away; turn away; send away; repel