帰: the kanji for return
帰 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means return. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
帰 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
帰 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 9 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
キ (ki)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 帰国きこく · kikoku | returning to one's country |
| 帰宅きたく · kitaku | returning home |
| 帰省きせい · kisei | going back to one's hometown |
| 復帰ふっき · fukki | return (to work) |
かえる (kaeru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 帰るかえる · kaeru | to go home; to return |
| 帰りかえり · kaeri | return; way back |
| 日帰りひがえり · higaeri | day trip |
| 持ち帰りもちかえり · mochikaeri | takeout |
かえす (kaesu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 帰すかえす · kaesu | to send (someone) home |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 今日は六時に帰ります。Kyō wa rokuji ni kaerimasu.I'll go home at six today.
- 年末に一度帰国します。Nenmatsu ni ichido kikoku shimasu.I'll go back to my home country once at the end of the year.
- お盆は実家に帰省します。O-bon wa jikka ni kisei shimasu.I'm going back to my parents' home for Obon.
- 帰りに駅で会いましょう。Kaeri ni eki de aimashō.Let's meet at the station on the way back.
- 日帰りで箱根に行きました。Higaeri de Hakone ni ikimashita.I took a day trip to Hakone.
- 育児休業から来月復帰します。Ikuji kyūgyō kara raigetsu fukki shimasu.I'm returning from childcare leave next month.
Questions about 帰
How many strokes does 帰 have?
帰 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 帰?
The on readings are ki (キ). The kun readings are kaeru (かえる), kaesu (かえす).
What do you say when leaving the office before others?
Say お先に失礼します (o-saki ni shitsurei shimasu), "Excuse me for leaving before you." Coworkers usually reply お疲れさまでした (o-tsukaresama deshita).
What JLPT level is 帰?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 帰
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.