お返しする · noun or participle which takes 'suru'
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | お返しする | お返ししない |
| Polite | お返しします | お返ししません |
| Past polite | お返ししました | お返ししませんでした |
| Past | お返しした | お返ししなかった |
| Te-form | お返しして | お返ししないで |
| Desire | お返ししたい | お返ししたくない |
| Potential | お返しできる | お返しできない |
| Passive | お返しされる | お返しされない |
| Causative | お返しさせる | お返しさせない |
| Causative passive | お返しさせられる | お返しさせられない |
| Volitional | お返ししよう | |
| Polite volitional | お返ししましょう | |
| Imperative | お返ししろ | お返しするな |
| Conditional | お返しすれば | お返ししなければ |
| Tara conditional | お返ししたら | お返ししなかったら |
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
return gift; reciprocal favor
Polite noun for a gift or favor given in return, especially in social or gift-giving contexts. Often used with する to mean 'to give something in return'.
I gave cookies as a return gift for Valentine's Day.
To return the favor for their help, I treated them to dinner.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
Used for returning an insult, harm, or negative action. Less common than the gift sense; often appears in set phrases like お返しをする or お返しだ.
If someone hits me, I hit back—that's my way.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
change; money returned
Refers to the change given back after a cash payment. Common in everyday transactions.
I paid with a 1,000-yen bill and got a 500-yen coin as change.
Since I got a birthday present, I gave her something in return.
As payback for being teased, this time I teased him back.
Here is your change of 500 yen.
As a return gift for the wedding congratulations, we sent towels.
お返し is a return gift or repayment in everyday social contexts, whereas 見返り sounds more transactional, implying an expected reward or compensation.