返す返す

返す返す

Japanese

Kanji in this term
返	返
かえ Grade: 3	かえ > がえ Grade: 3
kun’yomi

Etymology

Reduplication of 返(かえ)す (kaesu). The kaesu changes to gaesu as an instance of rendaku (連濁).

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) かえすが​えす [kàésúgáꜜèsù] (Nakadaka – [4])[1]
• IPA^(key): [ka̠e̞sɨᵝɡa̠e̞sɨᵝ]

Adverb

返(かえ)す返(がえ)す • (kaesugaesu) 

1. truly, extremely

   お会(あ)いできず、返(かえ)す返(がえ)す残念(ざんねん)です。

   Oaidekizu, kaesugaesu zannen desu.

   I'm extremely regretted that I can't meet you.

   Synonyms: 本当に, 重ね重ね

2. repeatedly

   Synonym: くれぐれも

3. courteous, careful, scrupulous

   Synonyms: 懇ろに, 念入りに, 丁寧に

References

1. 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN