How to say "response" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 反応はんのうnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'response' as a reaction to a stimulus, event, or action — how someone or something reacts physically, chemically, or emotionally — rather than a deliberate reply to a question or message.
- 答えこたえnounFor 'response' meaning the answer to a question, problem, or request — the content of what is said in reply, not the act of getting back to someone.
- 返事へんじnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbUse this for 'response' as a reply to a message, letter, or invitation — when you mean that someone did or did not get back to you.
- 共感きょうかんnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbFor 'response' this is seldom the word you want: it really means sympathy or empathy, an emotional response where you identify with and share another person's feelings.
- 答弁とうべんnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA formal response given in official settings, especially a minister's or government's reply to questioning in parliament; it also covers a formal legal answer or defence.
Choose 反応 for a reaction to a stimulus or event, 「答え」 for the answer to a question, 返事 for a reply to a message, 共感 for emotional resonance with someone, and 答弁 for formal official replies.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 反応はんのうreaction
- 答えこたえanswer
- 返事へんじreply
- 共感きょうかんsympathy
- 答弁とうべんresponse
- レスreply
- 応答おうとうreply
- リアクションreaction
- 受け答えうけこたえreply
- 返書へんしょreply (to a letter)
- 応えいらえreply
- レスポンスresponse
- 復答ふくとうresponse
- 応えごたえresponse
- 性反応せいはんのうreaction
- お返事おへんじreply
- 応手おうしゅ(primarily in shogi or go) response
- 挨拶あいさつreply
- 反響はんきょうresponse
- 手応えてごたえresponse (to one's efforts)
- 対応たいおうdealing with
- 応酬おうしゅうreply
- 返りかえりreply
- 即応そくおう(immediate) response
See also
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