還元's meaning and what you have to pay attention to

還元

読み方：

かんげん

意味：

1. 物事をもとの形・性質・状態などに戻すこと。

Restore something to its original shape, nature, state, etc.

2. 酸素の化合物から酸素を奪うこと。または、ある物質が水素と化合すること。一般的には、原子または原子団に電子を与えること。→酸化

Take oxygen from its compounds. Or a substance may be hydrogenated. In general, electrons are supplied to atoms or atomic clusters. → Oxidation

resolution; reduction; return to origins

ゲイツ会長、広告収入をユーザーに還元する意向表明。 

Bill Gates announces his intent to return advertising revenue to the users.

消費者に利益を還元する。

Return benefits to consumers

注意すべきこと

It cannot be regarded as return money.

This word means to restore something to its original state. 

The advertising fee in the example sentence is originally earned from users. So the action of giving money to the user refers to "restoring the original state" or "returning the things originally belonging to someone. " This action is called "還元."

But this word is often used with money and gradually feels like giving money.

But you need to remember this sentence:

当初の状態に還元する。Restore to the original state.

This is the word's primary meaning; you just need to remember this meaning.