Japanese

かえる
Meaning: to return; to come back; to be restored
Part of Speech: Verb

Listen to pronunciation

Show inflections Hide inflections

Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 返る 返らない
Polite 返ります 返りません
Past 返った 返らなかった
Polite + Past 返りました 返りませんでした
Te-form 返って 返らなくて
Potential 返れる 返れない
Passive 返られる 返られない
Causative 返らせる 返らせない
Causative + Passive 返らされる 返らされない
Imperative 返れ 返るな

Handwriting

返
る

Example sentences

After a while, he finally came to his senses.
努力すれば結果は百倍になって返ってくる。
If you work hard, the results will come back a hundredfold.
模擬試験の結果が返ってきた。
The results of the mock exam came back.

Usage Notes

Used when something returns to its original owner or state. '我に返る' is a common idiom meaning to come to one's senses.

Sottaku

About Sottaku

Sottaku is an app for learning Chinese, Japanese, Korean, English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian with a strong focus on SRS. It includes automatic flashcard creation for hundreds of thousands of words, grammar breakdowns in example sentences, language-specific study packs where available, adaptive quizzes, mobile apps, a browser extension, and community features. Give it a try now! All learning content is free with no limits on flashcards or study time.

Sottaku is built to match the habits of successful learners. By using Sottaku, you will naturally learn in the most efficient way possible, as proven by countless success stories in the language learning community.

Free Forever

Access all grammar guides, quizzes, and flashcards without paying a cent. Quality education should be accessible to everyone.

Smart SRS System

Our flashcard system uses the FSRS algorithm (also used in Anki) to optimize your review schedule and maximize retention.

Comprehensive Content

From hanzi, kana, hangul, and European vocabulary basics to grammar and reading practice where available, we have lessons for every level. Practice with quizzes tailored to your skill.

Community Chat

Ask level-appropriate questions and get help from the community. Learn together with fellow learners across all 8 supported languages.