Japanese

える

こたえる
Meaning: to answer; to reply
Part of Speech: Verb

Listen to pronunciation

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 答える 答えない
Polite 答えます 答えません
Past 答えた 答えなかった
Polite + Past 答えました 答えませんでした
Te-form 答えて 答えなくて
Potential 答えられる 答えられない
Passive 答えられる 答えられない
Causative 答えさせる 答えさせない
Imperative 答えろ 答えるな

Handwriting

答
え
る

Example sentences

Answer the teacher's question.
彼は私の質問に即座に答えた。
He answered my question immediately.
彼は質問に対して、はっきりとイエスと答えた。
He answered 'yes' clearly to the question.
彼はぶっきらぼうな態度で答えた。
He answered in a curt manner.
彼は何の躊躇いもなく答えた。
He answered without any hesitation.
「明日の出発は五時とする」「御意にございます」と家来は答えた。
“Departure tomorrow will be at five.” “As you command,” the retainer replied.
アンケートには匿名で答えた。
I answered the questionnaire anonymously.
被告人は裁判官の質問に対して、静かに答えた。
The defendant answered the judge's questions quietly.
彼女は難しい質問にスラスラと答えた。
She answered the difficult questions fluently.
その生徒は先生の質問にはきはきと答えた。
The student answered the teacher's question briskly.

Usage Notes

Used when responding to a question, problem, or call. Not to be confused with 応える (to respond to expectations).

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