Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "かえります", "帰る", "返す", "戻る", "返還"
All represent the core concept "return", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
かえります
かえります (kaerimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
帰る
かえる (kaeru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
返す
かえす (kaesu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
戻る
もどる (modoru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
返還
へんかん (henkan)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "return" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "かえります", "帰る", "返す", "戻る", "返還" based on context.
- かえります (かえります (kaerimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to return, to go home" and is used when Used when returning to a place, typically one's home.
- 帰る (かえる (kaeru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to return, to go home" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used when returning to a place, especially home.
- 返す (かえす (kaesu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to return (something); to give back" and is used when Used for returning physical items.
- 戻る (もどる (modoru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to return, to go back (intransitive)" and is used when Used for returning to a previous place, state, or condition. Intransitive, so it refers to the subject itself returning..
- 返還 (へんかん (henkan) - Level: N2): Maps to "return, restoration, repayment" and is used when 借りたものや占有していたものを元の持ち主や国などに返すことを指す、やや堅い表現です。特に土地や主権など、公共性の高いものに使われます。.
Context for "かえります"
毎日、会社から家に帰ります。
I go home from work every day.
Context for "帰る"
毎日、家に帰ります。
I go home every day.
Context for "返す"
借りた本を友達に返しました。
I returned the borrowed book to my friend.
Context for "戻る"
旅行から帰ってきて、元の生活に戻った。
After returning from the trip, I returned to my normal life.
Context for "返還"
彼は借りた本を図書館に返還した。
He returned the borrowed book to the library.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎日、会社から家に帰ります。" (Meaning: "I go home from work every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "かえります" is correct here because it represents "to return, to go home" in the context: "I go home from work every day.".