Meaning

Primary

To Answer

Alternatives

To Reply, To Respond

Word Type

intransitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means answer so the verb version means to answer.

Reading

こたえる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is the kun'yomi reading as you'd expect with all the hiragana, but luckily that's the reading you learned with the kanji so you should be able to read this.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 正直に答える

    to answer honestly

    インタビューに答える

    to answer an interview

    アンケートに答える

    to answer a questionnaire

Context Sentences

「はい」と答えるのに少し時間がかかった。

It took a little time to answer "yes."

アンケートに答えた代わりに、アイスクリームをもらいました。

In return for answering the questionnaire, I got ice cream.

私は電話に出る時、先ず「もしもし」と答えて、自分の名前を言います。

When I answer the phone, I first answer "hello" and say my name.

Kanji Composition