reject · instead

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 却 is associated with rejecting or sending back; its on-reading is きゃく.
• Basic usage: 返却 means giving back a borrowed item, while 却下 means rejecting a proposal or application.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Return and rejection
  • 返却 focuses on the action of returning an object; 却下 focuses on the decision not to accept a proposal or application.
• Position of the small っ
  • 返却 is read へんきゃく, and 却下 is read きゃっか. The latter contains a small っ.