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道Nihongo Path

返答

へんとう

reply; answer; response

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 彼の返答は拒絶も同然だ。

    かれのへんとうはきょぜつもどうぜんだ。

    His answer amounts to a refusal.

  2. 何度聞いても返答がなかった。

    なんどきいてもへんとうがなかった。

    However often I asked, there was no answer.

  3. その質問には返答に困った。

    そのしつもんにはへんとうにこまった。

    I was at a loss how to answer that question.

  4. 先方からの返答を待って、次の手を考えよう。

    せんぽうからのへんとうをまって、つぎのてをかんがえよう。

    Let's wait for their reply and then think about the next move.

Common patterns

返答に困る
to be stuck for an answer
返答を待つ
to await a reply
明確な返答
a clear answer

Memory tip

A spoken or written answer to a question put to you; 返事 is the everyday word, 返答 the stiffer one used in business and reporting. For a reply to a letter or invitation, 返信 or 返事 is the natural choice.

Kanji in this word

Quick check

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What does 返答 mean?