お返し

おかえし
Alternative writings: 御返し
Frequency:
1

A return gift or favor given in response to a gift or kindness (a token of reciprocity).

NounIrregular VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

結婚祝いをもらったので、お返しにタオルセットを送った。

I received a wedding gift, so I sent a towel set as a return gift.

お世話になった先生にお返しを渡したいと思っています。

I want to give a return gift to the teacher who helped me.

目上の人から贈り物をもらったら、適切なお返しを用意するのが礼儀だ。

When you receive a gift from a superior, it's proper etiquette to prepare an appropriate return gift.

2

An act of revenge or retaliation — doing something in return (often with a negative, retaliatory nuance).

NounIrregular Verb

Examples

彼は裏切りに対して厳しいお返しをした。

He gave a harsh revenge for the betrayal.

軽い冗談のつもりが、お返しが大げさになってしまった。

What was intended as a light joke turned into an exaggerated retaliation.

3

Change returned in a cash transaction (money given back when paying).

NounIrregular Verb

Examples

1000円で200円の買い物をしたら、お返しは800円です。

If you buy something for 200 yen with 1,000 yen, the change is 800 yen.

店員が『お返しは○○円です』と丁寧に伝えた。

The clerk politely said, 'Your change is ○○ yen.'

Word Relationships