Meaning

Primary

Give Something Back

Alternative

Reduction

Word Type

noun, の adjective, verbal noun

Explanation

Send back to the origin means you are going to give something back. This word is commonly used to mean "giving benefits back to the consumers.” For example, if a company makes more money than usual, they can thank consumers with a 利益還元 sale, lowering prices to "give back" some of the profits.

In the context of chemistry, 還元 also means reduction, like reducing an oxidized substance back to its original, unoxidized form.

Reading

かんげん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • ポイント還元

    point rebate, cashback via points

    酸化還元

    oxidation-reduction

    社会還元

    donating a portion of profits to social causes

    利益還元

    redistributing profits to a company's base

Context Sentences

我々は円高還元セールを実施します。

We are going to hold a sale to pass on the benefits of the strong yen.

当社では、利益が予想を上回れば、特別配当として株主に還元することになっています。

At our company, if profits exceed expectations, we return them to shareholders as an extra dividend.

このクレジットカードは、今月の終わりまでポイント還元率アップのキャンペーンをしてるので、今入会したらお得ですよ。

This credit card is offering a bonus cashback points promotion until the end of this month, so if you enroll now you'll get a good deal.

電気分解によって、水は水素と酸素に還元される。

Through electrolysis, water is reduced to hydrogen and oxygen.

Kanji Composition