答える

• Reading: こたえる
• Romaji: kotaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 答 (tou/kota) — answer, reply, response
• Pronunciation: /ko.ta.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To answer; to reply; to respond. Used when giving a response to a question or call.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb. Takes the particle に for the thing being answered (質問に答える). The related noun 答え means 'answer.' Distinct from 返事する (to reply, more casual acknowledgement) — 答える implies providing substantive content in response.

Examples

1. 先生の質問に答えました。 I answered the teacher's question.
2. 電話に答えてください。 Please answer the phone.
3. すぐに答えられなかった。 I couldn't answer right away.

Usage Guide

Context: school, conversation, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 答 combines 竹 (bamboo) and 合 (to match/join). Bamboo strips were used for written correspondence in ancient times, and a response that 'matched' the inquiry became the concept of answering.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal