却

instead, rather

JLPT N1 7 strokes

Kun'yomi: かえ.って・しりぞ.く・しりぞ.ける
On'yomi: キャク

却 means "instead, rather". It is a JLPT N1 kanji written in 7 strokes. It is read かえ.って・しりぞ.く・しりぞ.ける in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and キャク in compounds (on'yomi). It is taught beyond elementary school (junior high and up).

却 in example sentences

本ほんを返却へんきゃくしましたか。

Hon o henkyaku shimashita ka.

Did you take back the books?
本ほんはもう返却へんきゃくしました。

Hon wa mou henkyaku shimashita.

I've already returned the books.
その家いえは売却ばいきゃくされました。

Sono ie wa baikyaku saremashita.

The house has been sold.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, licensed CC-BY 2.0 FR.

Stroke order & writing

Want more? Practice writing from memory. Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

Words that use 却

Common questions

What does the kanji 却 mean?: 却 means "instead, rather". It is a JLPT N1 kanji.
How many strokes does 却 have?: 却 is written in 7 strokes.
How is 却 read?: It is read かえ.って・しりぞ.く・しりぞ.ける in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and キャク in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 却?: 却 is a JLPT N1 kanji.

Explore on the kanji map → Practice kanji