return

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is へん, and the kun readings are かえす and かえる. It has 7 strokes and relates to returning something or coming back.
• Basic usage: 返す is read かえす, and 返る is read かえる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 返す / 返る
  • 返す means to return or to repay and is read かえす. It is transitive and describes returning a book or repaying a debt.
  • 借りた本を来週友人に返す。 means “I will return the borrowed book to my friend next week.”
  • 返る means return or rebound and is read かえる. It is intransitive and describes a ball or door returning to its former direction or position.
  • 坂を転がったボールが石に当たり、こちらへ返ってきた。 means “The ball rolling down the slope hit a rock and bounced back this way.”