還元する

• Reading: かんげんする
• Romaji: kangensuru
• Kanji breakdown: 還 (kan) — return, come back; 元 (gen) — origin, source, base
• Pronunciation: /kaɴ.ɡeɴ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To return profit; to give back. Used when companies return value to customers or shareholders.

A Group 3 (irregular) する-verb. 還元 combines 還 (return) + 元 (origin/source). In business, it means returning profits or benefits — ポイント還元 (point cashback), 利益還元 (profit sharing), 社会還元 (giving back to society). Also used in chemistry meaning 'reduction.'

Examples

1. ポイント還元キャンペーンで売り上げが伸びた。 A points cashback campaign boosted sales.
2. 利益の一部を社会に還元する活動を行っている。 The company carries out activities to give back a portion of its profits to society.
3. 株主に配当金として利益を還元する方針だ。 The policy is to return profits to shareholders in the form of dividends.

Usage Guide

Context: business, marketing, finance

Tone: positive

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 還 (kan, return/come back) + 元 (gen, origin/source) + する (to do). Literally means 'returning to the source,' expressing the idea of giving back.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal