Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 答え | kotae | [ko̞ta̠e̞] (narrow) |
| 回答 | kaitō | [ka̠ito̞ː] (narrow) |
| 応答 | ōtō | [o̞ːto̞ː] (narrow) |
In Japanese, the word for "answer" changes based on whether you are providing a solution to a problem, responding to a formal inquiry or providing a technical response. 答え is the most common way to express a solution to a question or problem. The related verb 答える means to provide an answer, but it can also be used to mean satisfying or meeting a specific requirement, such as meeting expectations or a demand. For a social context, such as replying when someone calls your name, the word 返事 is used to refer to the act of replying, whereas 答え refers to the actual content of the answer.
Which one should you use?
Use 答え when referring to a neutral answer or the solution to a question or problem. Use 回答 for formal responses, such as those provided to a survey, a questionnaire or an official inquiry. Use 応答 when discussing technical or formal responses, such as a computer system responding to a command or a signal being returned.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kotae
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the verb 答える can be used to describe meeting a spiritual or emotional need, such as when a prayer is answered.
- When someone ignores a question, Japanese speakers might say they didn't give a 返事, even if the question required a complex 答え.
- The word 回答 is used for formal responses and is common in legal or government contexts, where a casual 答え would be considered inappropriate.
Examples in context
- 何問答えた？How many questions did you answer?This sentence is useful for asking how many questions were answered using 答え.Tatoeba #11792769 by small_snow, translation #10767269 by ddnktr
- 何て答えたの？What did you answer?This sentence is useful for asking what the content of an answer was using 答え.Tatoeba #4844 by bunbuku, translation #1426 by Zifre
- どう答えたの？How did you answer her?This sentence is useful for asking about the manner in which someone was answered using 答え.Tatoeba #9732861 by bunbuku, translation #3920349 by CH
- それには、簡単な答えがあります。There is a simple answer to that.
- 試験の解答を提出してください。Please submit your exam answers.
- 君の質問には、既に回答してありますよ。I have already answered your question.
- 彼の答えは正しいです。His answer is correct.
- お試験の解答は次週に発表されます。The exam answers will be announced next week.
- 君の回答は面白かったよ！Your answer was interesting!
- 277 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a difficult quiz in a classroom.
- 陽太 Yotaこの問題の答えは、何かな？Kono mondai no kotae wa, nan kana?I wonder what the answer to this question is?
- 美咲 Misaki正しい答えは、これだよ。Tadashii kotae wa, kore da yo.The correct answer is this.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんの答えは、いつも正確だね。Misaki-san no kotae wa, itsumo seikaku da ne.Misaki, your answers are always accurate.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くんも、もっと頑張って！Youta-kun mo, motto ganbatte!You should try harder too, Youta!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “answer” translations and entries 答え, 回答, 応答, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
