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言い返す (いいかえす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
talk back ; answer back ; retort ; reply
Means to say something back in response, often with a defensive, argumentative, or defiant tone. It can also be a neutral 'reply/respond' when the context is simply answering back.
女じょ
は
「
それ
は
違ちが
う
」
と
言い
い
返かえ
し
た
。
She retorted, "That's not true."
2
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
repeat back ; say again ; say over
Less central than the retort sense. Used for saying the same words again or repeating someone’s words back, rather than arguing.
Written forms 言い い 返かえ す Usage 80%
Standard, common spelling high priority.
いい 返かえ す Usage 8%
search-only kanji form
This mixed kana-kanji form is search-only; use 言い返す in normal writing.
いいかえす Usage 6%
言い いかえす Usage 5%
search-only kanji form
This mixed kana-kanji form is search-only; it is useful for lookup but not the standard spelling.
Similar words 反はん 論ろん する Means to argue against or refute a point; more explicit and logical than 言い返す, which can be a quick verbal comeback.
返へん 事じ する A neutral 'to reply' with no built-in argumentative nuance; 言い返す often suggests answering back or retorting.
繰く り 返かえ す The general verb for repeating actions or words; 言い返す in its repetition sense is narrower, meaning to say words back or say them again.
Etymology A compound of 言う, 'to say,' and 返す, 'to return/send back,' giving the core idea of 'saying back' or 'returning words.'
