Meaning
The kanji 復 (フク) conveys the fundamental meanings of “restore,” “return,” “recover,” and “repeat.” It centers on the concept of something reverting to a previous state or condition, or the action of doing something again. You'll frequently encounter 復 in words describing health recovery, environmental restoration, or reviewing lessons.
Its etymology provides a clear window into its meaning. 復 is a phono-semantic compound. The left-hand radical, 彳 (gyōninben), literally means “a step” or “to walk,” often linking to movement, roads, or paths. The right-hand component, 复 (fù), acts as both a phonetic element, giving it the sound 'fuku,' and independently contributes the idea of “return” or “repeat.” Imagine a person or object moving along a path (彳) and then needing to return or repeat that path (复). This visual neatly captures the concept of coming back or restoring a state, making its various applications easier to grasp.
This kanji has 12 strokes. Although not officially assigned to a specific elementary school grade, Japanese students typically learn 復 in junior high or high school, aligning with JLPT N3 proficiency. Its complexity and abstract nature make it ideal for learners who have already mastered more basic kanji.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi reading for 復 is フク (fuku). This is the most common reading by far, used almost exclusively when 復 appears in compound words. It directly reflects the Chinese pronunciation from which the character was borrowed. The 'fuku' sound is quite versatile, appearing in a wide range of words related to restoration, return, and repetition. Understanding this reading is key, as it forms the basis for many essential vocabulary terms.
- 回復 (kaifuku) — recovery, restoration. This term is often used for health (e.g., from an illness), economic recovery, or data restoration.
- 復活 (fukkatsu) — revival, resurrection. Commonly used for religious contexts, a brand's comeback, or a game character's respawn.
- 復習 (fukushū) — review (lessons). An everyday term for students reviewing their studies.
- 往復 (ōfuku) — round trip. Used when referring to a journey that involves going and returning, like a train journey.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Unlike many kanji, 復 does not have commonly used kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings as a standalone verb or adjective in modern Japanese. You'll encounter it almost exclusively within on'yomi compounds. While historical or very specific archaic readings might exist, for practical modern Japanese learning, consider 復 an on'yomi-only kanji. This can simplify memorization: you only need to focus on its フク reading in compounds, rather than associating it with a Japanese verb or adjective stem. This emphasizes its role primarily as a building block for more complex vocabulary, rather than a standalone word.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 復 is a highly productive element in Japanese vocabulary, forming numerous compound words. These compounds, tied to its core meanings of restoration, return, and repetition, appear across various contexts—from daily life to specialized professional fields.
- 回復 (kaifuku) — recovery, restoration (e.g., from illness, economic downturn, or data loss).
- 復旧 (fukkyū) — restoration (of infrastructure, services) after damage or disaster, such as roads or utilities.
- 復興 (fukkō) — reconstruction, rehabilitation (often on a larger scale, like a city or region after a disaster).
- 復活 (fukkatsu) — revival, resurrection (e.g., of a tradition, a brand, or a person in fiction).
- 復帰 (fukki) — return, reinstatement, comeback (e.g., returning to work after maternity leave, or a player returning to a team).
- 復職 (fukushoku) — return to one's job/position.
- 復習 (fukushū) — review (of lessons, study material).
- 往復 (ōfuku) — round trip (going and returning).
- 返復 (henpuku) — repetition (less common than 繰り返し, but means 'to repeat').
- 復讐 (fukushū) — revenge, vengeance (note: same reading as 復習 but different kanji for the second character, and very different meaning).
- 復路 (fukuro) — return trip (road/path). Opposite of 往路 (ōro).
- 復号 (fukugō) — decryption, decoding (often in the context of information technology).
- 再復 (saifuku) — repeated return, repeated recovery (less common, emphasizing 'again' + 'return').
Example Sentences
彼の病気は完全に回復しました。
Kare no byōki wa kanzen ni kaifuku shimashita.
He has completely recovered from his illness.
試合後、すぐに復習して弱点を克服しました。
Shiai-go, sugu ni fukushū shite jakuten o kokufuku shimashita.
After the game, I immediately reviewed my performance and overcame my weaknesses.
東京から大阪まで往復切符を買いました。
Tōkyō kara Ōsaka made ōfuku kippu o kaimashita.
I bought a round-trip ticket from Tokyo to Osaka.
この地域の経済は復興に向けて努力しています。
Kono chiiki no keizai wa fukkō ni mukete doryoku shite imasu.
This region's economy is working hard towards reconstruction.
古い伝統が現代に復活した。
Furui dentō ga gendai ni fukkatsu shita.
An old tradition has been revived in modern times.
産休後、彼女は来月には職場に復帰する予定です。
Sankyū-go, kanojo wa raigetsu ni wa shokuba ni fukki suru yotei desu.
After maternity leave, she is scheduled to return to work next month.
台風で寸断された交通網がようやく復旧しました。
Taifū de sundan sareta kōtsūmō ga yōyaku fukkyū shimashita.
The transportation network, severed by the typhoon, has finally been restored.
彼は昔の栄光を回復するため、再び厳しい訓練を始めた。
Kare wa mukashi no eikō o kaifuku suru tame, futatabi kibishii kunren o hajimeta.
He began intense training again to recover his past glory.
コンピュータのシステムがダウンしたが、幸いデータは復旧可能だった。
Konpyūta no shisutemu ga daun shita ga, saiwaī dēta wa fukkyū kanō datta.
The computer system crashed, but fortunately the data was recoverable.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 復, consider its components. The left side, 彳 (gyōninben), represents 'a step' or 'to walk,' a common element in kanji related to movement. The right side, 复, functions as both a phonetic component and carries the meaning of 'return' or 'repeat.' Visualize it this way: a person takes a step (彳) and then needs to return or repeat (复) that action or path. Imagine retracing your steps to go back, or reviewing a lesson by going over it again. This vivid connection of walking and returning/repeating perfectly encapsulates the core meaning of 復.