What is the Kanji for 'Instead' and 'Eliminate'? | 却

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Instead' and 'Eliminate', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Instead' and 'Eliminate' is 却.

kanji

却

Meaning

Instead, Eliminate

Reading

kunyomiかえって

kaette

onyomiきゃく

kyaku

Parts

去Past 卩Seal

Example Word

却って: contrarily. The Japanese adverb '却って (かえって)' means 'contrarily' or 'on the contrary'. It is used to indicate that the result of an action or situation is the opposite of what was expected. This word often carries a nuance of surprise or irony. For example: I thought it would help, but it made things worse「助かると思ったが、却って悪くなった」(たすかるおもったが、かえってわるくなった). The medicine didn't make me feel better; on the contrary, it made me feel worse「薬を飲んだが、却って気分が悪くなった」(くすりをのんだが、かえってきぶんがわるくなった). This adverb is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese to express unexpected outcomes.

Radical

卩

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

995

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 却

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

kanji

去

Meaning

Past

radical

卩

Meaning

Seal

却 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

kanji

脚

Meaning

Leg

Words Using 却

This kanji is used in 3 words:

word

却って

Meaning

Contrarily

word

売却

Meaning

Sale

word

返却

Meaning

Return

Kanji Related to 却 Through the Part 卩

These 4 kanji contain the part 卩 as well.

kanji

即

Meaning

Instant, Immediate

kanji

令

Meaning

Orders

kanji

印

Meaning

Mark, Seal

kanji

卵

Meaning

Egg

Learn the Kanji 却

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 却 mean?

却 means 'Instead' and 'Eliminate'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

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