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How to say 'Retort' in Japanese | 言い返す

Wondering how to say 'Retort' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Retort is 'Iikaesu', written as 言い返す in Japanese.'Retort' in hiragana is いいかえす.

    word

    言い返す

    Meaning

    Retort

    Reading

    いいかえす

    iikaesu

    Kanji

    言Say 返Return

    Explanation

    The Japanese verb '言い返す (いいかえす)' means 'to retort' or 'to talk back'. It is used when someone responds sharply or defiantly to a remark or criticism. This verb often carries a nuance of defiance or disagreement, and it is typically used in situations where someone is standing up for themselves or challenging what has been said. For example: He retorted angrily「彼は怒って言い返した」(かれはおこっていいかえした). She always talks back to her teacher「彼女はいつも先生に言い返す」(かのじょはいつもせんせいにいいかえす). The verb can also imply a sense of rebuttal or counter-argument in a more formal context, such as in a debate or discussion.

    Part Of Speech

    verb

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    3

    Frequency

    2958

    Composition

    kanji-hiragana

    Handwriting

This word is a godan verb. To learn how it transforms in different tenses and forms, explore all its conjugations.

Kanji in the Word 言い返す

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    言

    Meaning

    Say

  • kanji

    返

    Meaning

    Return

Hiragana in the Word 言い返す

This word contains 2 Hiragana characters :

  • hiragana

    い

    Reading

    I

  • hiragana

    す

    Reading

    Su

Words Related to 言い返す Through the Kanji 言

These 26 Words contain the Kanji 言 as well.

  • word

    言う

    Meaning

    Say

  • word

    言葉

    Meaning

    Word

  • word

    言い方

    Meaning

    Way of speaking

  • word

    言語

    Meaning

    Language

  • word

    発言

    Meaning

    Statement

  • word

    一言

    Meaning

    Word

  • word

    言わば

    Meaning

    So to speak

  • word

    言い出す

    Meaning

    Start saying

  • word

    宣言

    Meaning

    Declaration

  • word

    言い表わす

    Meaning

    Express

  • word

    言論

    Meaning

    Discussion, Speech

  • word

    言い訳

    Meaning

    Excuse

  • word

    言付ける

    Meaning

    Entrust

  • word

    証言

    Meaning

    Testimony

  • word

    遺言

    Meaning

    Will

  • word

    言葉遣い

    Meaning

    Wording

  • word

    書き言葉

    Meaning

    Written language

  • word

    方言

    Meaning

    Dialect

  • word

    言い替える

    Meaning

    Rephrase

  • word

    無言

    Meaning

    Silence

  • word

    予言

    Meaning

    Prophecy

  • word

    言

    Meaning

    Word

  • word

    言及

    Meaning

    Mention

  • word

    独り言

    Meaning

    Soliloquy

  • word

    話し言葉

    Meaning

    Spoken language

  • word

    伝言

    Meaning

    Message

Words Related to 言い返す Through the Kanji 返

These 13 Words contain the Kanji 返 as well.

  • word

    繰り返す

    Meaning

    Repeat

  • word

    返事

    Meaning

    Reply

  • word

    返す

    Meaning

    Return, Repeat

  • word

    裏返す

    Meaning

    Reverse

  • word

    振り返る

    Meaning

    Look back

  • word

    返る

    Meaning

    Return

  • word

    裏返し

    Meaning

    Inside out

  • word

    返済

    Meaning

    Repayment

  • word

    取り返す

    Meaning

    Reclaim

  • word

    返還

    Meaning

    Return, Restoration

  • word

    引き返す

    Meaning

    Turn back

  • word

    繰り返し

    Meaning

    Repetition

  • word

    返却

    Meaning

    Return

Learn the Word 言い返す

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Iikaesu' (言い返す) mean?

'Iikaesu' means 'Retort' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.