返答|へんとうhentou[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbreply; answer
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 返答する（へんとうする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 返答します（へんとうします） |
| Negative (nai) | 返答しない（へんとうしない） |
| polite (masen) | 返答しません（へんとうしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 返答せず・返答せぬ（へんとうせず・へんとうせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 返答した（へんとうした） |
| polite (mashita) | 返答しました（へんとうしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 返答しなかった（へんとうしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 返答しませんでした（へんとうしませんでした） |
| Te form | 返答して（へんとうして） |
| Potential | 返答できる（へんとうできる） |
| Passive | 返答される（へんとうされる） |
| Causative | 返答させる（へんとうさせる） |
| Causative passive | 返答させられる（へんとうさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 返答すれば（へんとうすれば） |
| tara | 返答したら（へんとうしたら） |
| Volitional | 返答しよう（へんとうしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 返答しましょう（へんとうしましょう） |
| Imperative | 返答しろ（へんとうしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym返事へんじNeutralThe everyday word for a reply, as in 「返事をする」; far more common than 返答, which sounds more formal and centers on answering a question.
- Synonym返信へんしんNeutralSpecifically a reply to a letter, fax or email; used when the exchange is written correspondence rather than a spoken answer.
- SynonymリプライNeutralLoanword for a reply, mainly on social media; common in casual speech.
- Synonym応答おうとうWrittenFormal term for answering a question or call, seen in set phrases like 「質疑応答」.
- Synonym回答かいとうNeutralAn answer to a question or survey, as in 「アンケートの回答」; at home in both speech and writing.
- Synonym答えこたえNeutralA broad word for answers and solutions; also the correct answer to a problem, a use 返答 does not have.
- Synonym答えるこたえるNeutralThe everyday verb 'to answer'; it highlights the act of replying, while 返答 is used as a noun.
- Synonym答弁とうべんWrittenWritten word for answering questions in parliament or an official setting; carries a political and legal flavor.
- Synonym受け答えうけこたえNeutralHow one handles replies in conversation, often judged good or bad, as in 「受け答えがうまい」.
- Synonym返書へんしょWrittenA formal, rather rare word for a reply letter; in daily life people say 「返信」.
- Related応酬おうしゅうWrittenWritten word for a back-and-forth exchange of words or blows, as in 「ヤジの応酬」; not a single reply.
- RelatedレスポンスNeutralLoanword for a response or reaction, often about speed, as in 「レスポンスが速い」.
- RelatedアンサーNeutralLoanword for an answer to a question; in everyday use it is less common than 「答え」.
- Antonym質問しつもんNeutralA question — the very thing a 返答 answers, as in 「質問に答える」; the two words pair as opposites.
- Antonym問いといNeutralA question one poses, as in 「問いを立てる」; stands on the opposite side of answering.
Use 「返答」 for a formal reply to a question or request, as in 「返答に困る」. For everyday replies pick 「返事」, for replies to letters and email 「返信」, for survey answers 「回答」, and for parliamentary answers 「答弁」. A question asked is 「質問」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
