Meaning

Primary

To Send Someone Back

Alternative

To Send Someone Home

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

The hiragana ends with an sound, so you know this is a verb. The kanji itself means return, and this verb is transitive, meaning it takes a direct object. You send someone back. You send them home. And tell them to never come near you again. So this means to send someone back or to send someone home.

In fact, most verbs ending in are transitive. To help you remember that, think of suing () someone to make sure they go home!

Reading

かえす
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for this word is the same as the one you learned with the kanji. Yay! But since this word has a pair verb, let's think of a way to remember the ending:

What's the most surefire way to send someone home? Threaten to sue () them if they don't!

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 家に帰す

    to send someone back home

    自然に帰す

    to return something to nature

    実家に帰す

    to send someone back to their parent's home

Context Sentences

小さいシャコは海に帰すようにしています。

We're making sure to release the small mantis shrimps back into the sea.

今日は少し早く運転手を帰した。

I sent my driver home a little early today.

作業が全部終わらないと帰してもらえないよ。

They won't send you home unless you finish all of the work.

Kanji Composition