答えて
kotaete
The English phrase "answer me" in Japanese is translated as 答えて (kotaete).
答えて is used as a request for someone to provide a response to a question. In certain contexts, you might use 教えて, which literally means "teach me" but is also used to ask someone to answer a question or provide information.
Which one should you use?
答えて is used for answering questions or calls, whereas 返事して is used specifically for giving a verbal response or acknowledgment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 答えて is the te-form of a verb and, when used alone, functions as a casual command or request. To make the request more polite, you can add ください to the te-form to create 答えてください, which means "please answer me".
How do you pronounce it?
kotaete
Did you know?
- The verb within 答えて, 'kotaeru', can also be used to describe a response from nature, such as the sound of the wind or the sea answering a call.
- The verb 答える is used both for answering a question and for responding to a call from a deity or a spiritual presence in religious contexts.
- The te-form used in 答えて was historically used to link multiple actions together in a sequence before it became a standalone casual command.
Examples in context
- 私の言うことに答えてください。Please answer me.This sentence shows how to use 答えて in a polite request.Tatoeba #163715 by bunbuku, translation #250796 by Zifre
- 「先生、正直に答えてください。由美はとても悪い状態なんですね？」「ま、そう言っていいと思う」"Doctor, please answer me honestly. Yumi's in very bad shape, isn't she?" "Well, I guess you could say that."This dialogue demonstrates a conversation where someone is asking for an honest answer using 答えて.Tatoeba #10657512 by Kaede, translation #10765304 by end
- いいから、早く答えて。Ii kara, hayaku kotaete.Just answer me quickly.
Example conversation
Ren is asking Himari a question while she is distracted.
- 蓮 Ren蓮：ねえ、聞いてる？答えてよ。Ren: Nee, kiiteru? Kotaete yo.Hey, are you listening? Answer me.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：ごめん、考え事をしていたの。Himari: Gomen, kangaegoto o shite ita no.Sorry, I was thinking about something.
- 蓮 Ren蓮：いいから、早く答えて。Ren: Ii kara, hayaku kotaete.Just answer me already.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：いいよ、賛成だよ。Himari: Ii yo, sansei da yo.Okay, I agree.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
