How to say "answer" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 答えるこたえるichidan verb, intransitive verbThe verb for answering: use it when someone answers a question or gives a reply to what they are asked.「はい、ありません」とジョーダンさんは答えた。↗"No, I don't," said Mr Jordan.
- 答えこたえnounThe noun for an answer: the reply you give to a question, or the correct answer to a problem on a test or quiz.
- 応ずるおうずるichidan verb (-zuru), intransitive verbTo answer in the sense of responding to a call, request, or demand and meeting it; seldom the word for giving an answer to a question, for which 答える is what you want.
- 回答かいとうnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA reply or answer given in response to a question or inquiry; the word you see in business and official contexts, such as the answer to a customer inquiry.
- 返事へんじnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA reply or response: what you send back to a message, letter, or invitation, or give when someone calls you; for the answer to a question or problem you need 答え.
「答える」 and 「答え」 are the verb and noun for answering a question or problem; 返事 is a reply to a message or call; 回答 an answer to an inquiry; and 「応ずる」 is for responding to a request or demand.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 答えるこたえるto answer
- 答えこたえanswer
- 応ずるおうずるto answer
- 回答かいとうreply
- 返事へんじreply
- 解答かいとうanswer
- 叶えるかなえるto grant (request, wish)
- 答弁とうべんresponse
- 応答おうとうreply
- 返信へんしんreply (e.g. email, fax, letter)
- 返答へんとうreply
- 受け答えうけこたえreply
- 返書へんしょreply (to a letter)
- 応えるこたえるto respond
- アンサーanswer
- 遣り返すやりかえすto answer
- 言葉を返すことばをかえすto reply
- 返へんreply
- お返事おへんじreply
- 足りるたりるto do (the job)
- とくto solve
- 足るたるto do (the job)
- 答案とうあんanswer (to an exam question)
- 取り次ぐとりつぐto inform (of a visitor, phone call, etc.)
- 応酬おうしゅうreply
- 解かいsolution (to a given problem)
- 返報へんぽうreply
- 出るでるto answer (phone, door, etc.)
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
