Meaning
回 has one underlying idea: going around in a circle. From that image, the meanings fan out — to rotate, to go around an obstacle, to return to a starting point, and to count how many times something happens (once, twice, three times).
Etymologically, 回 is a pictograph of a whirlpool viewed from above. The outer square 囗 is the boundary; the inner square spins inside it, like water circling in a drain. Both the outer and inner components are the same radical: 囗, the enclosure radical.
Six strokes, taught in Grade 2 — 回 is among the first kanji Japanese children learn. Yet it punches above its weight. You'll find it in medical reports (回復), electrical engineering (回路), restaurant names (回転寿司), and daily small talk (今回、前回、次回) alike.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
回 has two on'yomi: カイ and エ. カイ is the one you'll actually use — it covers rotation, frequency, responses, recovery, and circuits.
- 回転 (kaiten) — rotation, revolution; the same word in 回転寿司 (conveyor belt sushi) and 回転椅子 (swivel chair)
- 回数 (kaisuu) — number of times, frequency; a staple of everyday conversation
- 回答 (kaitou) — an answer or reply, especially to a survey or formal questionnaire
- 回復 (kaifuku) — recovery, restoration; used in medical and economic contexts alike
- 回路 (kairo) — circuit (electrical); literally "a path that goes around"
エ survives mainly in Buddhist vocabulary. 回向 (ekou) — transferring spiritual merit to others — is the only common example. For N4, put your energy into カイ.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Two kun'yomi, both native verbs: まわ(る) and まわ(す).
- 回る (mawaru) — intransitive: the subject moves on its own. 地球が回る (the Earth rotates).
- 回す (mawasu) — transitive: the speaker causes the rotation. ハンドルを回す (to turn the steering wheel).
- 回り道 (mawari-michi) — a detour; literally "a path that goes around"
Common Words & Compounds
回 spans a wide range of everyday vocabulary. Here are the key compounds, grouped by theme.
Counting times and frequency:
- 今回 (konkai) — this time, on this occasion
- 前回 (zenkai) — last time, the previous occasion
- 次回 (jikai) — next time
- 毎回 (maikai) — every time, each time
- 一回 (ikkai) — once, one time
- 何回 (nankai) — how many times?
Motion and rotation:
- 回転 (kaiten) — rotation, revolution
- 回り道 (mawari-michi) — detour, roundabout path
- 迂回 (ukai) — detour, going around an obstacle
Return and recovery:
- 回復 (kaifuku) — recovery (health, economy)
- 回収 (kaishuu) — collection, retrieval, product recall
- 回想 (kaisou) — recollection, looking back on the past
Communication and response:
- 回答 (kaitou) — answer, response (formal)
- 回避 (kaihi) — avoidance, evasion
Example Sentences
今回のテストは難しかったです。
Konkai no tesuto wa muzukashikatta desu.
The test this time was difficult.
何回も練習しました。
Nankai mo renshuu shimashita.
I practiced many times.
地球は太陽の周りを回っています。
Chikyuu wa taiyou no mawari wo mawatte imasu.
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
病気から回復するのに一週間かかりました。
Byouki kara kaifuku suru no ni isshuukan kakarimashita.
It took one week to recover from the illness.
前回の授業で習ったことを覚えていますか。
Zenkai no jugyou de naratta koto wo oboete imasu ka.
Do you remember what we learned last class?
この道は工事中なので、回り道をしてください。
Kono michi wa koujichuu nanode, mawari-michi wo shite kudasai.
This road is under construction, so please take a detour.
毎回同じミスをしてしまいます。
Maikai onaji misu wo shite shimaimasu.
I keep making the same mistake every time.
回収ボックスに古い新聞を入れてください。
Kaishuu bokkusu ni furui shinbun wo irete kudasai.
Please put the old newspapers in the collection box.
次回はもっとうまくできると思います。
Jikai wa motto umaku dekiru to omoimasu.
I think I can do better next time.
Related Kanji
- 場 — Place, Location, Scene (Kanji N4)
- 明 — Bright, Clear, Light (Kanji N4)
- 地 — Ground, Earth, Land (Kanji N4)
- 春 — Spring (Kanji N4)
- 図 — Diagram, Map, Figure (Kanji N4)
- 待 — Wait, Await, Expect (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
Look closely at 回: a square inside a square. Picture a whirlpool from above — an outer ring spinning around an inner ring. That image ties every meaning together: something rotating (回転), a path that winds around an obstacle (回り道), health cycling back to normal (回復), counting how many loops something completes (一回、二回).
Picture a clock face. The hands sweep around again and again. Each full rotation is one 回. Whenever you see those two nested squares, think: around and around, again and again.