Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "送ります" vs "返す"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
送ります
おくります (okurimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
返す
かえす (kaesu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 送ります and 返す are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
送ります (おくります (okurimasu)) represents "to send, to escort" (Level: N5) and typically represents Polite form of 送る.
On the other hand, 返す (かえす (kaesu)) translates to "to return, to give back" (Level: N4) and is used for Used when returning an item to its owner or original place, or replying to something. Transitive verb.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "送ります"
友達にメールを送ります。
I send an email to my friend.
Bilingual Sentence for "返す"
図書館に本を返しました。
I returned the book to the library.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達にメールを ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I send an email to my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "送ります" fits here because it represents "to send, to escort" in the context: "I send an email to my friend.".