返事・返辞|へんじhenji[3]odaka (tail-high)
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Which spelling to use
返事返事 is the most common form and the recommended choice for learners when writing this word.
返辞返辞 is a less common form of the same word. Learners should generally choose 返事 instead.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbreply; answer; response
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 返事する（へんじする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 返事します（へんじします） |
| Negative (nai) | 返事しない（へんじしない） |
| polite (masen) | 返事しません（へんじしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 返事せず・返事せぬ（へんじせず・へんじせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 返事した（へんじした） |
| polite (mashita) | 返事しました（へんじしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 返事しなかった（へんじしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 返事しませんでした（へんじしませんでした） |
| Te form | 返事して（へんじして） |
| Potential | 返事できる（へんじできる） |
| Passive | 返事される（へんじされる） |
| Causative | 返事させる（へんじさせる） |
| Causative passive | 返事させられる（へんじさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 返事すれば（へんじすれば） |
| tara | 返事したら（へんじしたら） |
| Volitional | 返事しよう（へんじしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 返事しましょう（へんじしましょう） |
| Imperative | 返事しろ（へんじしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym答えこたえNeutralRefers to the answer or solution to a question, as in 「答えを出す」; 「返事」 is about responding to a call or a message.
- Synonym返答へんとうNeutralA reply to an inquiry or call, as in 「返答に困る」; fits both speech and writing, and is a bit more formal than 「返事」.
- Synonym回答かいとうNeutralAn answer to a question or survey, as in 「アンケートの回答」 and 「質問に回答する」; more formal than 「返事」.
- Synonym応答おうとうWrittenA written-language term for responding to a call, as in 「応答がない」; used mostly in communications contexts.
- Synonym返信へんしんNeutralA reply to a letter or email, as in 「メールに返信する」; focused on written correspondence.
- SynonymリプライCasualColloquial loanword for a reply on social media, as in 「リプライが来る」.
- Synonym受け答えうけこたえNeutralOne's replies in a question-and-answer exchange, as in 「受け答えがうまい」.
- Synonym返書へんしょWrittenA written word for a reply letter, as in 「返書を送る」.
- Synonym応えいらえNeutralAs 「応え」, largely interchangeable with 「返事」, e.g. 「質問への答え」; but the answer to an exam question can only be 「答え」.
- SynonymレスポンスCasualColloquial loanword for a reaction or response, often about speed, as in 「レスポンスが早い」.
- SynonymアンサーCasualColloquial loanword for an answer; seen mostly in show titles and rare in everyday speech.
- Related答弁とうべんFormalThe formal term for answering in the Diet or a court, as in 「国会答弁」.
- Related応酬おうしゅうNeutralAn exchange of return blows or retorts, as in 「激しい応酬」; stresses that neither side gives ground.
- Related答えるこたえるNeutralThe verb for answering, as in 「質問に答える」; 「返事する」 also works in such sentences.
- Related返しかえしCasualColloquial: a return gift or a retort, and also a quick comeback in conversation, as in 「お返し」 and 「その返しがうまい」.
- Related返り言かえりごとWrittenA written, classical-flavoured word for the reply a messenger brings home, or a poem written in response.
- Related復答ふくとうWrittenA written word for answering what one is asked; rare, so say 「返答」 in daily conversation.
- Related答弁書とうべんしょFormalThe formal term for a written statement of answers, used in lawsuits or the Diet.
- Antonym無視むしNeutralThe opposite of 「返事」: ignoring or disregarding someone instead of answering, as in 「メッセージを無視する」.
- Antonym黙秘もくひFormalThe formal opposite of 「返事」: keeping silent, as in 「黙秘権」.
Default to 「返事」 for replying to a call, greeting or letter. Use 「答え」 for the answer or solution to a question, 「回答」 for formal answers to questions and surveys, 「返信」 for replies to mail, 「答弁」 for Diet or court statements, and 「リプライ」 for social-media replies. Ignoring someone is 「無視」; deliberately staying silent is 「黙秘」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
