反響

• Reading: はんきょう
• Romaji: hankyou
• Kanji breakdown: 反 (han/so) — return, echo back; 響 (kyō/hibiki) — sound, resonance, reverberate
• Pronunciation: /hankʲoː/

Meaning

Echo; reverberation; repercussion; public response. The reaction or response that an event, statement, or work elicits from an audience.

A verbal noun (する verb). Used both literally (sound echoing) and figuratively (public reaction). 反響を呼ぶ (to elicit a response), 大きな反響があった (there was a great response). Commonly used in media and public discourse to describe audience reaction, and broader in scope than 影響 (effect/influence).

Examples

1. その記事は公開後、読者から大きな反響を呼んだ。 After publication, the article drew a strong response from readers.
2. 首相の発言は国内外で強い反響を引き起こした。 The prime minister's remarks provoked a powerful reaction both at home and abroad.
3. 試作品への反響が予想以上に良かったため、正式な製品化が決まった。 The response to the prototype was better than expected, and full commercialisation was decided.

Usage Guide

Context: media, public discourse, art, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 反 (han, to return/echo back) and 響 (kyou, sound/resonance). The physical image of sound bouncing back extends to the metaphorical sense of public reaction rippling back to the source.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal