Japanese symbol for “retaliate”
返す
かえす
Romaji: kaesu
to return (something); to restore; to put back
In Japanese, retaliate is 返す, read かえす (kaesu).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5s, vt to return (something); to restore; to put back
- v5s, vt to turn over; to turn upside down; to overturn
- v5s, vt to pay back; to retaliate; to reciprocate
- v5s, vt to respond (with); to retort; to reply; to say back
- suf, v5s to do ... back (e.g. speak back, throw back)
- suf, v5s to do ... again; to do ... repeatedly
Written forms: 返す、反す. Readings: かえす.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “retaliate”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 報いる | むくいる mukuiru | to retaliate; to get revenge |
| 一矢を報いる | いっしをむくいる isshiomukuiru | to retaliate; to return a blow; to strike back (at) |
| 一矢報いる | いっしむくいる isshimukuiru | to retaliate; to return a blow; to strike back (at) |
| 報う | むくう mukuu | to retaliate; to get revenge |
| 仕返す | しかえす shikaesu | to take revenge; to retaliate |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 返事 | へんじ henji | reply; answer; response |
| 繰り返す | くりかえす kurikaesu | to repeat; to do over again |
| 返還 | へんかん henkan | return; restoration |
| 返済 | へんさい hensai | repayment; reimbursement; refund |
| 返信 | へんしん henshin | reply (e.g. email, fax, letter); answer |
See also: Chinese symbol for “retaliate”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.