How to Write 返 (return, answer, fade, repay) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 返 (“return, answer, fade, repay”), indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Practice 返 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 返す (かえす (kaesu) — return), 返す (かえす (kaesu) — return).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (返)
Primary Radical (部首): 辵 — しんにょう (road/advance)
Radical Position: Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) (繞 (Nyō))
Semantic Theme: Walking, movement, travel, progression, and distance
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヘン) when 返 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かえ.す, -かえ.す, かえ.る, -かえ.る) when 返 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 返 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical (Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) position). Establish the 辵 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 辵.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 返
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 返 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 返 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 返 ("return, answer, fade, repay") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 返 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical (Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) position). Establish the 辵 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 返?
For 返 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ヘン and the Kunyomi is かえ.す, -かえ.す, かえ.る, -かえ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヘン) when 返 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かえ.す, -かえ.す, かえ.る, -かえ.る) when 返 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 返 includes 返す (かえす (kaesu) — return), 返す (かえす (kaesu) — return).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 返 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 返 (return, answer, fade, repay), start with the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) in the Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) (繞 (Nyō)) position and follow standard Japanese Hitsujun (筆順) principles: top to bottom (上から下) and left to right (左から右). Practice 返 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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