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). Formerly did not exhibit rendaku in older forms.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) かえすがえす [kàésúgáꜜèsù] (Nakadaka – [4])
• IPA^(key): [ka̠e̞sɨɡa̠e̞sɨ]

Adverb

返(かえ)す返(がえ)す • (kaesugaesu) 

1. truly, extremely

   Synonyms: 本当に, 重ね重ね

   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.

2. repeatedly

   Synonym: くれぐれも

3. courteous, careful, scrupulous

   Synonyms: 懇ろに, 念入りに, 丁寧に