回答|かいとうkaitou[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbreply; answer
   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.

• Synonym返事へんじNeutralEveryday word for responding to a call, greeting or invitation, as in 「返事をする」; 「回答」 is the more formal reply.
• Synonym応答おうとうNeutralAs in 「質疑応答」; used for Q&A sessions, communications and machine reactions, while 「回答」 centers on the content of the answer.
• Synonym返答へんとうNeutralAnswering someone's question or call, as in 「返答に困る」; a bit more formal than 「返事」, while 「回答」 is the formal reply to inquiries and surveys.
• SynonymリプライCasualLoanword for a reply, mainly on social media and in email, e.g. replying to a post; use 「回答」 for a formal answer.
• SynonymレスCasualSlangy abbreviation for a reply on internet forums and social media, as in 「レスが遅い」.
• Synonym解答かいとうNeutralWorking out and giving the answer to a problem, as in 「試験の解答」; its object is a problem, while 「回答」 answers an inquiry or survey.
• Synonym答えこたえWrittenHere read 「いらえ」; rare and old-fashioned for a reply — don't confuse it with the common 「答え（こたえ）」; say 「返事」 in daily life.
• Synonym答えるこたえるNeutralThe everyday verb for answering, as in 「質問に答える」; 「回答する」 is the more formal choice.
• Synonym受け答えうけこたえNeutralOne's handling of a question-and-answer exchange, as in 「受け答えがしっかりしている」; focuses on how one responds in conversation.
• SynonymアンサーCasualLoanword for an answer, heard on TV shows and quiz games; in everyday writing use 「回答」.
• Related答えこたえWrittenHere read 「いらえ」; rare and old-fashioned for a reply — don't confuse it with the common 「答え（こたえ）」; say 「返事」 in daily life.
• Related答弁とうべんFormalFormal: answering and explaining in response to questioning in the Diet, courts etc., as in 「国会答弁」; mostly used of officials.
• Related返信へんしんNeutralReplying to letters, emails and messages, as in 「メールに返信する」; 「回答」 is about the answer to the question itself.
• Related返書へんしょWrittenWritten word for a reply letter, mostly in formal correspondence; say 「返信」 in daily use.
• Related応えいらえWrittenRead 「いらえ」; a rare, old-fashioned word for a reply or response, almost unused today — say 「返事」 in daily life.
• RelatedレスポンスNeutralLoanword for a reaction or response, often about speed as in 「レスポンスが速い」; not limited to answering questions.
• Related復答ふくとうWrittenRare written word for answering what one was asked; in everyday speech use 「返答」 or 「回答」.
• Antonym質問しつもんNeutralAntonym: a question or inquiry; the two pair as question and answer, as in 「質問に回答する」.
• Antonym発問はつもんWrittenWritten antonym: putting a question, mostly a teacher asking students in class; the opposite of 「回答」.

Use 「回答」 for formal replies to questions, inquiries and surveys. For everyday responses pick 「返事」, for mail and messages 「返信」, for solving problems 「解答」, for Diet or court answers 「答弁」. 「返答」 is a slightly more formal everyday reply; 「応答」 covers Q&A sessions and machine responses; 「受け答え」 is about how one handles exchanges. Casual loanwords: 「リプライ」, 「レス」 (social media), 「アンサー」 (quizzes), 「レスポンス」 (reactions). Written or rare: 「返書」, 「復答」, 「応え（いらえ）」. Opposite: 「質問」, written 「発問」.

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

1. 質問しつもんなどに答こたえること。また、その答こたえ。アンサー。