応じる|おうじるoujiru[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, intransitive verbto respond; to satisfy; to accept; to comply with; to apply for
    我々われわれは彼かれらの要求ようきゅうに応おうじなければならなかった。↗
    We had to yield to their request.
Conjugation
Dictionary form応じる(おうじる)
Polite (masu)応じます(おうじます)
Negative (nai)応じない(おうじない)
polite (masen)応じません(おうじません)
classical zu / nu応じず・応じぬ(おうじず・おうじぬ)
Past (ta)応じた(おうじた)
polite (mashita)応じました(おうじました)
Past negative (nakatta)応じなかった(おうじなかった)
polite (masen deshita)応じませんでした(おうじませんでした)
Te form応じて(おうじて)
Potential応じられる(おうじられる)
Passive応じられる(おうじられる)
Causative応じさせる(おうじさせる)
Causative passive応じさせられる(おうじさせられる)
Conditional (ba)応じれば(おうじれば)
tara応じたら(おうじたら)
Volitional応じよう(おうじよう)
polite (mashou)応じましょう(おうじましょう)
Imperative応じろ(おうじろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym受け入れるうけいれるNeutralFocuses on taking in the other's offer or thing (「要求を受け入れる」); 「応じる」 centers on responding to a demand.
  • Synonym応ずるおうずるWrittenAn older form of 「応じる」 with the same meaning; more written in tone, seen mostly in documents and official notices.
  • Synonym応えるこたえるNeutralCovers meeting expectations or taking a physical toll (「期待に応える」「寒さが応える」); 「応じる」 leans toward agreeing to requests.
  • Related応答おうとうNeutralA noun for answering or replying (「質疑応答」), centered on the spoken response; 「応じる」 is about agreeing to or accepting a request.
  • Related甘んじるあまんじるWrittenWritten-style: to be content with or resigned to something (「現状に甘んじる」), often with a sense of reluctance; 「応じる」 is simply a response, no resignation.
  • Antonym拒むこばむWrittenWritten-style word for refusing or blocking; it stands opposite 「応じる」 on the accept-versus-refuse axis.
  • Antonym断ることわるNeutralMeans turning down a request; the everyday spoken opposite of 「応じる」, as in 「誘いを断る」.

Use 「応じる」 for responding to or accepting a request, or adapting to circumstances. For taking in an offer use 「受け入れる」, for meeting expectations 「応える」, for question-and-answer 「応答」; to refuse, 「断る」 or 「拒む」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 承知しょうちする。ひきうける。うけつける。
  2. あるものの変化へんかに対応たいおうする。あわせる。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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