How to say "reply" in Japanese

• 回答かいとうJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbAn answer or reply given to a question, inquiry, or request; the word of business and official writing, such as responses to a survey or a customer inquiry.
  これらの回答かいとうは、原因げんいんと結果けっかをはき違ちがえている。↗

  These answers confuse cause with consequence.
• 返事へんじJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe everyday word for a reply: responding when your name is called, or answering a letter, email, or message. For plain 'reply' in daily life this is the default choice.
  すぐ返事へんじをしてもらいたいと思おもっています。↗

  I hope you will answer me soon.
• 答えるこたえるJLPT N5approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbThe verb 'to answer': replying to a question, as in class or an interview. When the reply is to a letter or message rather than a question, 返事 is the usual word.
  「はい、ありません」とジョーダンさんは答こたえた。↗

  "No, I don't," said Mr Jordan.
• 答えこたえJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounA noun for the answer to a question or the solution to a problem; for a reply to a message, 返事 is the usual word, so this rarely fills that role.
  キャロルは拒絶きょぜつした。言い換いいかえると、彼女かのじょの答こたえは「ノー」だった。↗

  Carol refused; in other words her answer was "no."
• レスCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAn abbreviation used for replies to posts on internet forums and social media; outside online talk it is seldom the word you want for 'reply'.
  男性だんせいからの投稿とうこうや記事きじへのレスは一切いっさいお断ことわりしております。↗

  Men are absolutely not allowed to post or reply to articles.

Use 返事 for everyday replies to messages or when someone calls you, 回答 for answers to questions or inquiries in writing, 「答える」 and 「答え」 for answering a question, and 「レス」 for replies to online posts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 回答かいとうreply
• 返事へんじreply
• 答えるこたえるto answer
• 答えこたえanswer
• レスreply
• 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
• 答弁とうべんresponse
• 答申とうしんreport
• リプライreply
• 受け答えうけこたえreply
• 返書へんしょreply (to a letter)
• 言い返すいいかえすto talk back
• 応えいらえreply
• リプreply (esp. on Twitter)
• 貴酬きしゅうreply (epistolary)
• 返詞へんしreply
• 言葉を返すことばをかえすto reply
• リプるto reply (on Twitter)
• 返へんreply
• お返事おへんじreply
• 言い返しいいかえしreplying
• 回報かいほうcircular
• 復答ふくとうresponse
• 答弁書とうべんしょwritten response
• 挨拶あいさつreply
• 応酬おうしゅうreply
• 返りかえりreply
• 返報へんぽうreply
• 返すかえすto respond (with)