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A1 verb 7 min de lectura

대답하다

daedapada

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 대답하다 en 30 segundos

Explicación 대답하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '대답하다' is one of the first verbs you learn to describe interaction. Learners at this stage use it for very simple, concrete situations. You might use it to say you answered a teacher's question with a 'yes' or 'no'. The focus is on the basic present and past tense forms: '대답해요' and '대답했어요'. You learn that it pairs with '질문' (question) and usually involves a person talking to another person. It's about basic survival communication—acknowledging that you have heard someone and providing a response. A1 learners should focus on the '네' (yes) and '아니요' (no) aspect of answering. For example, '선생님, 제가 대답할게요' (Teacher, I will answer). It's a fundamental building block for participating in a Korean-speaking environment.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '대답하다' with more descriptive adverbs and in more varied contexts like phone calls or simple errands. You move beyond simple yes/no answers and start to describe *how* someone answered—'빨리 대답하다' (answer quickly) or '크게 대답하다' (answer loudly). You also start to understand the use of the particle '-에' (to/at) with this verb, recognizing that you answer *to* a question. A2 learners should be comfortable using this verb in the imperative form, such as '제 질문에 대답해 주세요' (Please answer my question), which is useful when seeking information. You also begin to see the word in simple stories or dialogues where characters interact.

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By the B1 level, you use '대답하다' to describe more complex social interactions. You can report what someone else said using the '-라고 대답하다' quotation structure. This is crucial for intermediate learners who are starting to summarize conversations. You also begin to distinguish '대답하다' from its more formal counterpart '답변하다' and use it appropriately in different social settings. You might describe an interview situation: '면접에서 잘 대답했어요' (I answered well in the interview). At this level, you also understand more nuanced adverbs like '솔직하게' (honestly) or '자세하게' (in detail), allowing you to describe the quality of communication more effectively.

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At the B2 level, '대답하다' is used in more abstract or argumentative contexts. You might discuss the difficulty of answering a philosophical question or the social implications of not answering (대답을 피하다 - to avoid answering). You are expected to use various grammatical connectors with the verb, such as '대답하기 위해서' (in order to answer) or '대답하자마자' (as soon as [I] answered). You also start to recognize idiomatic uses and how the verb functions in longer, more complex sentences found in news reports or literature. Your understanding of the word's register becomes much sharper, knowing exactly when '대답하다' is too casual and '답변하다' is required.

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For C1 learners, '대답하다' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You can analyze the nuances of a response—whether it was '우회적인 대답' (a roundabout answer) or a '명쾌한 대답' (a clear and brilliant answer). You understand the historical and cultural weight of the word, including how it reflects Korean social hierarchy. You might use it in academic writing or professional debates to critique or support an argument. At this level, you are also familiar with the noun form '대답' in complex compound nouns and phrases. You can handle situations where the 'answer' is not just a sentence but an entire speech or a symbolic action.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '대답하다'. You can use it in highly literary or poetic contexts, or in very specific technical fields. You understand the subtle psychological undercurrents when someone '대답을 망설이다' (hesitates to answer) or '대답을 거부하다' (refuses to answer) in a legal or high-stakes negotiation. You can use the word to discuss the 'responsiveness' of a society to its citizens' needs or the 'answer' provided by a piece of art to a cultural crisis. Your usage is flawless, incorporating all levels of honorifics and stylistic variations with ease, reflecting a deep integration into the Korean language and culture.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

대답하다 en 30 segundos

Primary Korean verb for 'to answer' a question or respond to a call.
Commonly used with the particle '-에' (e.g., 질문에 대답하다).
Versatile across all social registers, though formal contexts may prefer '답변하다'.
Essential for classroom, workplace, and daily social interactions.

The Korean verb 대답하다 (daedaphada) is a cornerstone of daily communication, functioning as the primary way to express the act of 'answering' or 'responding' to someone. At its most fundamental level, it describes the verbal or written reaction to a question, a call, or a prompt. Whether you are a student replying to a teacher's inquiry, a child answering their mother calling from another room, or a professional responding to a colleague, this word is your go-to term. It is composed of the noun 대답 (answer) and the verb-forming suffix 하다 (to do), literally meaning 'to do an answer'.

Direct Verbal Response: The most common usage involves speaking. When someone asks 'How are you?' and you say 'I am fine,' that act of saying 'I am fine' is 대답하다. It implies a direct interaction between two parties where one initiates and the other reacts.
Responding to a Name Call: In Korean culture, acknowledging when someone calls your name is vital. If a friend shouts your name across the street and you shout back 'Yeah!', you are performing the action of 대답하다. Failing to do so is often seen as rude or '대답이 없다' (having no answer).
Formal vs. Informal Contexts: While 대답하다 is versatile, it sits comfortably in neutral and polite settings. In very formal situations, such as a legal deposition or a high-level corporate briefing, you might hear 답변하다, but in 90% of life's situations, 대답하다 is the standard choice.

학생이 선생님의 질문에 큰 소리로 대답했다.
— The student answered the teacher's question in a loud voice.

Understanding 대답하다 also requires understanding the social hierarchy in Korea. When answering an elder or a superior, the manner in which you '대답하다' is just as important as the content of the answer. A quick, crisp '네!' (Yes!) is the gold standard for a polite 대답. Conversely, a delayed or mumbled response can be interpreted as a lack of respect or enthusiasm. It is not just about the information conveyed; it is about the social glue that maintains harmony (기분) between people.

왜 제 질문에 대답하지 않아요?
— Why aren't you answering my question?

Usage with Particles: Crucially, 대답하다 takes the particle -에 when referring to the question or call you are responding to. For example, '질문에 대답하다' (to answer [to] a question). This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who are used to 'answering a question' without a preposition.

이름을 부르면 바로 대답하세요.
— Please answer immediately when your name is called.

Mastering the usage of 대답하다 involves understanding its conjugation and its relationship with other words in a sentence. As a regular -하다 verb, it follows standard conjugation patterns, making it relatively easy for beginners to pick up. However, the nuance lies in the adverbs used to describe the way one answers and the specific objects it interacts with.

Basic Conjugation Patterns: In the present tense, it becomes 대답해요 (polite) or 대답합니다 (formal). In the past, 대답했어요 or 대답했습니다. If you want to ask someone to answer, you use the imperative form 대답해 주세요 (Please answer) or 대답해라 (Answer! - used by elders to children).
Combining with Adverbs: The quality of an answer is often modified by adverbs. 솔직하게 대답하다 (to answer honestly), 친절하게 대답하다 (to answer kindly), and 망설임 없이 대답하다 (to answer without hesitation) are common pairings that add depth to your descriptions.

그는 질문에 아주 솔직하게 대답했습니다.
— He answered the question very honestly.

One of the most important grammatical structures to learn with 대답하다 is the quotation form. When you want to say 'He answered that...', you use -라고 대답하다. For example, '그는 알겠다고 대답했어요' means 'He answered that he understood'. This is essential for reporting conversations and storytelling in Korean.

아무도 제 전화에 대답하지 않아요.
— Nobody is answering my call (responding to my call).

Negation: To say someone 'didn't answer', you can use 안 대답하다 (informal/natural) or 대답하지 않다 (more formal/written). A very common expression for silence is 대답이 없다 (literally: there is no answer), which is used when someone is being ignored or when a person is literally unable to speak.

그녀는 웃으면서 대답했어요.
— She answered while smiling.

The word 대답하다 is ubiquitous in Korean life. You will hear it from the moment a child starts school until the end of a professional career. Its presence in media, literature, and daily conversation makes it one of the most high-frequency verbs you will encounter.

In the Classroom: The classroom is perhaps the most common place to hear this word. Teachers frequently say, "질문에 대답해 보세요" (Try to answer the question) or "크게 대답하세요" (Answer loudly). It is the primary verb for student participation.
In K-Dramas and Movies: In dramatic scenes, you'll often hear a character shout, "대답해!" (Answer me!) when demanding the truth or a confession. It carries a lot of weight in emotional confrontations where one person is withholding information.
In Daily Errands: When you go to a government office or a bank, the clerk might ask you to '대답' to certain security questions. While they might use '답변' for official records, the verbal instruction is often the more approachable '대답해 주시겠어요?'.

"빨리 대답해! 어디 있었어?"
— "Answer me quickly! Where were you?" (Common drama trope)

You will also hear this word in the context of technology. AI assistants like Siri or Bixby are described as '질문에 대답하는 기계' (machines that answer questions). When your phone doesn't recognize your voice, you might say '왜 대답을 안 하지?' (Why isn't it answering?). It bridges the gap between human interaction and human-to-machine interaction.

면접관의 질문에 똑똑하게 대답해야 합니다.
— You must answer the interviewer's questions clearly.

While 대답하다 seems straightforward, English speakers often make specific errors due to direct translation or confusion with similar-looking Korean words. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Korean sound much more natural.

Confusing with '답장하다' (Reply): In English, we 'answer' a question and 'answer' an email. In Korean, 대답하다 is primarily for verbal or immediate responses. For emails, text messages, or letters, you should use 답장하다 (dap-jang-hada). Saying '이메일에 대답했어요' is technically understandable but sounds awkward; '이메일에 답장했어요' is correct.
Particle Errors: -를 vs -에: As mentioned before, English speakers often say '질문을 대답하다' (answering the question). In Korean, the question is the target or direction of the answer, so 질문에 대답하다 is the standard. Using '-를' isn't always 'wrong' in modern slang, but it feels less refined.
Confusing with '대구하다' (Talk back): There is a word 대꾸하다 which also means to reply, but it often carries a negative connotation of 'talking back' or giving a sassy retort. If you mean to simply answer a question, stick to 대답하다.

❌ 이메일에 대답하세요. (Awkward)
✅ 이메일에 답장하세요. (Natural)

Another mistake is using 대답하다 when you should be using 맞다 (to be correct). If someone asks 'Is this the right answer?', you shouldn't say '이게 대답이에요?' to mean 'Is this correct?'. You should ask '이게 맞아요?'. 대답하다 is the action of responding, not the validity of the response.

질문에 대답할 때는 예의 바르게 하세요.
— When answering a question, please do so politely.

To truly enrich your Korean vocabulary, you must understand the subtle differences between 대답하다 and its synonyms. Each word carries a different 'flavor' or level of formality.

대답하다 vs. 답변하다: 대답하다 is for general, everyday use. 답변하다 (dap-byeon-hada) is more formal and often implies a more detailed or explanatory answer. You '대답' to a friend, but a politician '답변' to a reporter's inquiry.
대답하다 vs. 응답하다: 응답하다 (eung-dap-hada) means 'to respond'. It is often used in technical contexts (system response) or in a more abstract, emotional sense (responding to a call for help). It feels more 'reactive' than 'interactive'.
대답하다 vs. 대꾸하다: 대꾸하다 (dae-kku-hada) is often used when the reply is short, dismissive, or argumentative. If a child talks back to a parent, the parent might say "어디서 대꾸야?" (How dare you talk back?).

공식적인 답변을 기다리고 있습니다.
— I am waiting for an official answer/response.

When choosing between these, consider your relationship with the person and the setting. If you are in a casual chat, 대답하다 is always safe. If you are writing a business letter or giving a presentation, 답변 or 응답 will make you sound more professional and precise.

기계가 신호에 응답하지 않습니다.
— The machine does not respond to the signal.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The character 答 (dap) contains the radical for 'bamboo' (竹) because in ancient times, answers or records were often written on bamboo slips.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /dɛ.dap.ɦa.da/

US /deɪ.dɑːp.hɑː.dɑː/

Primary stress is usually on the second syllable 'dap'.

Rima con

복잡하다 (bok-jap-hada) 대접하다 (dae-jeop-hada) 인정하다 (in-jeong-hada) 결정하다 (gyeol-jeong-hada) 공부하다 (gong-bu-hada) 사랑하다 (sa-rang-hada) 운동하다 (un-dong-hada) 준비하다 (jun-bi-hada)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'dae' as 'die'. It should be more like 'deh'.
Dropping the 'p' sound in 'dap'. It is a stopped 'p' (unreleased).
Over-emphasizing the 'h' in 'hada', making it sound choppy.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy to read; common Hanja-based verb.

Escritura 2/5

Simple spelling but requires correct particle usage (-에).

Expresión oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires correct honorifics.

Escucha 1/5

High frequency makes it easy to recognize.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

하다 말 네 아니요 질문

Aprende después

답변하다 응답하다 답장하다 묻다 요청하다

Avanzado

반박하다 해명하다 진술하다 회신하다 응수하다

Gramática que debes saber

Particle '-에' with 대답하다

질문에 대답해요. (Answer the question.)

Indirect Quotation '-라고 대답하다'

알겠다고 대답했어요. (Answered that I understood.)

Honorific '-시-' with 대답하다

선생님께서 대답하셨어요. (The teacher answered.)

Simultaneous Action '-으면서'

웃으면서 대답했어요. (Answered while smiling.)

Negative '-지 않다'

대답하지 않았어요. (I didn't answer.)

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Ejemplos por nivel

선생님 질문에 대답해요.

I answer the teacher's question.

Uses the polite present tense '-해요'.

네, 대답했어요.

Yes, I answered.

Uses the past tense '-했어요'.

크게 대답하세요.

Please answer loudly.

Imperative form '-하세요'.

이름을 부르면 대답해요.

Answer when your name is called.

Conditional connector '-면'.

제 질문에 대답해 주세요.

Please answer my question.

Request form '-해 주세요'.

아이가 잘 대답해요.

The child answers well.

Adverb '잘' (well) modifying the verb.

누가 대답할 거예요?

Who will answer?

Future tense '-(으)ㄹ 거예요'.

저는 '네'라고 대답했어요.

I answered 'yes'.

Quotation particle '-라고'.

전화에 바로 대답하세요.

Answer the phone immediately.

Adverb '바로' (immediately).

질문에 짧게 대답했어요.

I answered the question briefly.

Adverb '짧게' (briefly).

왜 대답하지 않아요?

Why aren't you answering?

Negative form '-지 않다'.

그는 웃으면서 대답했다.

He answered while laughing.

Simultaneous action '-으면서'.

모르면 대답하지 마세요.

If you don't know, don't answer.

Prohibitive form '-지 마세요'.

친구의 질문에 대답하고 싶어요.

I want to answer my friend's question.

Desire form '-고 싶다'.

이름을 다시 한번 대답해 줄래?

Can you answer your name one more time?

Informal request '-해 줄래?'.

그녀는 고개를 끄덕이며 대답했어요.

She answered while nodding her head.

Simultaneous action '-(으)며'.

면접관의 질문에 솔직하게 대답했습니다.

I answered the interviewer's questions honestly.

Formal polite '-습니다'.

그는 갈 수 없다고 대답했어요.

He answered that he couldn't go.

Indirect quotation '-고 대답하다'.

질문에 대답하기가 너무 힘들어요.

It is so hard to answer the question.

Noun form '-기' + subject particle.

어머니는 화를 내며 대답하셨어요.

Mother answered while being angry.

Honorific suffix '-시-'.

대답하기 전에 생각을 좀 해 보세요.

Try thinking for a bit before answering.

Time connector '-기 전에'.

그는 질문을 받자마자 대답했다.

He answered as soon as he received the question.

Immediate action '-자마자'.

모든 질문에 성실하게 대답해야 합니다.

You must answer all questions sincerely.

Obligation form '-해야 하다'.

그녀는 아무 말 없이 대답을 피했다.

She avoided the answer without saying anything.

Adverbial phrase '아무 말 없이'.

그의 대답은 질문의 핵심을 피하고 있었다.

His answer was avoiding the core of the question.

Progressive form '-고 있다'.

질문에 대답하는 방식이 매우 독특하네요.

The way you answer questions is very unique.

Noun modifying form '-는 방식'.

어떤 질문에도 당황하지 않고 대답했어요.

I answered without being flustered by any question.

Negative connector '-지 않고'.

그는 한참을 망설이다가 대답했다.

He hesitated for a while and then answered.

Transition connector '-다가'.

그 질문에 대답할 수 있는 사람은 없어요.

There is no one who can answer that question.

Ability form '-(으)ㄹ 수 있다'.

정확하게 대답하지 않으면 오해가 생겨요.

If you don't answer accurately, misunderstandings occur.

Conditional '-면' with negation.

그는 끝내 질문에 대답하지 않고 자리를 떴다.

He finally left without answering the question.

Adverb '끝내' (in the end/finally).

상황에 따라 다르게 대답해야 할 때가 있다.

There are times when you must answer differently depending on the situation.

Noun phrase '-(으)ㄹ 때가 있다'.

그의 모호한 대답은 의혹을 더욱 증폭시켰다.

His vague answer further amplified the suspicions.

Causative verb '증폭시키다'.

질문에 대답함으로써 자신의 결백을 증명했다.

He proved his innocence by answering the question.

Method/means connector '-(으)로써'.

그는 유도 심문에도 굴하지 않고 대답했다.

He answered without yielding even to leading questions.

Concessive connector '-아/어도'.

질문에 대답하는 것 자체가 큰 용기가 필요했다.

Answering the question itself required great courage.

Subject nominalization '-는 것 자체'.

그녀는 비꼬는 투로 질문에 대답했다.

She answered the question in a sarcastic tone.

Descriptive phrase '-는 투로'.

그의 대답은 논리적으로 완벽해서 반박할 수 없었다.

His answer was logically perfect, so it couldn't be refuted.

Reason connector '-아서/어서'.

질문에 대답하기를 거부하는 것도 하나의 권리다.

Refusing to answer a question is also a right.

Object nominalization '-기를'.

그는 질문의 의도를 파악하고 영리하게 대답했다.

He grasped the intention of the question and answered cleverly.

Sequential action '-고'.

그의 대답은 시대의 요구에 대한 처절한 응답이었다.

His answer was a desperate response to the demands of the times.

Metaphorical use of '응답' (response).

질문에 어떻게 대답하느냐에 따라 운명이 결정된다.

Destiny is determined by how one answers the question.

Indirect question '-느냐에 따라'.

그는 침묵으로써 가장 강력한 대답을 대신했다.

He replaced the most powerful answer with silence.

Silence as a form of '대답'.

질문에 대답하는 과정에서 자아를 발견하게 되었다.

In the process of answering the question, I came to discover my true self.

Discovery form '-게 되다'.

그의 대답은 질문자의 편견을 여실히 드러내 주었다.

His answer clearly revealed the questioner's prejudice.

Adverb '여실히' (clearly/vividly).

질문에 대답할 의무와 침묵할 권리 사이에서 갈등했다.

I conflicted between the duty to answer and the right to remain silent.

Contrastive structure '-와/과 ... 사이에서'.

그의 대답은 마치 잘 짜인 한 편의 시와 같았다.

His answer was like a well-crafted poem.

Simile structure '마치 ... 와/과 같다'.

질문에 대답하기 위해 온 생애를 바친 철학자였다.

He was a philosopher who dedicated his entire life to answering the question.

Purpose connector '-기 위해'.

Colocaciones comunes

질문에 대답하다

솔직하게 대답하다

크게 대답하다

바로 대답하다

대답을 피하다

대답이 없다

똑똑히 대답하다

망설임 없이 대답하다

성의 있게 대답하다

친절하게 대답하다

Frases Comunes

네라고 대답하다

— To answer 'yes'. Used to show agreement or acknowledgment.

그는 기쁘게 네라고 대답했다.

아니요라고 대답하다

— To answer 'no'. Used for denial or disagreement.

그녀는 단호하게 아니요라고 대답했다.

대답할 가치가 없다

— Not worth answering. Used when a question is silly or offensive.

그런 질문은 대답할 가치가 없어요.

대답을 미루다

— To delay an answer. Used when one needs more time to think.

그는 대답을 내일로 미루었다.

대답을 강요하다

— To force an answer. Used in interrogations or pressure situations.

나에게 대답을 강요하지 마세요.

대답을 듣다

— To hear/get an answer. Used when waiting for a response.

드디어 그의 대답을 들었다.

대답을 준비하다

— To prepare an answer. Common for interviews or tests.

예상 질문에 대답을 준비하세요.

대답이 돌아오다

— An answer comes back. Used when a response is received.

메일을 보냈지만 대답이 돌아오지 않았다.

대답을 유도하다

— To lead someone to a certain answer.

변호사는 증인에게 유리한 대답을 유도했다.

말문이 막혀 대답을 못 하다

— To be speechless and unable to answer.

너무 놀라서 말문이 막혀 대답을 못 했다.

Se confunde a menudo con

대답하다 vs 답장하다

Used for responding to messages, emails, or letters, whereas 대답하다 is for verbal/general responses.

대답하다 vs 대꾸하다

Often has a negative nuance of talking back or retorting rudely.

대답하다 vs 맞다

Means 'to be correct'. Don't use 대답하다 to say an answer is right.

Modismos y expresiones

"자문자답하다"

— To ask and answer one's own question. Often used in self-reflection.

그는 혼자 자문자답하며 고민에 빠졌다.

Neutral

"대답이 시원찮다"

— An answer is unsatisfactory or half-hearted.

그의 대답이 시원찮아서 다시 물어봤다.

Informal

"대답 한 마디에 천 냥 빚도 갚는다"

— A single good answer (or kind word) can repay a huge debt. (Variation of a famous proverb).

말 한마디, 대답 한마디가 참 중요해요.

Literary

"대답을 흐리다"

— To give a vague or slurred answer to avoid clarity.

그는 불리한 질문이 나오자 대답을 흐렸다.

Neutral

"대답이 막히다"

— To be stuck for an answer; unable to find words.

예리한 질문에 대답이 턱 막혔다.

Neutral

"입을 닫고 대답하지 않다"

— To close one's mouth and refuse to answer (silent treatment).

그는 화가 났는지 입을 닫고 대답하지 않았다.

Informal

"대답을 낚아채다"

— To intercept or answer quickly before someone else can.

형이 내 대답을 낚아채서 먼저 말했다.

Informal

"대답이 뻔하다"

— The answer is obvious/predictable.

물어보나 마나 대답은 뻔해요.

Neutral

"대답을 고르다"

— To carefully choose one's words for an answer.

그는 신중하게 대답을 골랐다.

Neutral

"대답이 꼬이다"

— To get confused or tangled up while answering.

긴장해서 대답이 자꾸 꼬였어요.

Informal

Fácil de confundir

대답하다 vs 답변하다

Both mean 'to answer'.

답변하다 is more formal and used for official explanations or detailed replies.

경찰은 질문에 답변했다.

대답하다 vs 응답하다

Both mean 'to respond'.

응답하다 is more reactive, often used for machines, signals, or responding to a call for help.

비상 신호에 응답하세요.

대답하다 vs 대구하다

Sounds similar to 대답하다.

대구하다 is an archaic or dialect version of 대꾸하다 (talking back).

말대꾸하지 마라.

대답하다 vs 해답

Patrones de oraciones

[Noun] + 에 대답해요

질문에 대답해요.

[Adverb] + 대답하세요

크게 대답하세요.

[Verb-고] + 대답하다

알겠다고 대답했어요.

[Verb-기] + 전에 대답하다

생각하기 전에 대답했어요.

[Noun] + 을/를 피하고 대답하다

시선을 피하고 대답했다.

[Verb-지] 않고 대답하다

망설이지 않고 대답했다.

[Noun] + 에 대답함으로써

질문에 대답함으로써 증명했다.

[Noun] + 에 대한 대답으로

그것은 시대에 대한 대답이었다.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

대답 An answer/response

답변 A formal reply

응답 A response/reaction

Verbos

대답하다 To answer

답변하다 To reply formally

응답하다 To respond

Relacionado

질문 (question)

물음 (inquiry)

말 (word/speech)

소리 (sound/voice)

반응 (reaction)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and educational settings.

Errores comunes

질문을 대답하다 → 질문에 대답하다
The question is the target of the answer, so the directional particle '-에' is used.
이메일에 대답하다 → 이메일에 답장하다
Written replies to messages use '답장하다'.
대답이 맞아요? → 이게 맞아요?
To ask if something is correct, use '맞다'. '대답' is just the act of responding.
대답하지 마 (to an elder) → 대답하지 마세요
Always use honorifics with elders or superiors.
대답을 씹다 (in formal writing) → 대답을 하지 않다
'씹다' is very rude slang for ignoring someone. Avoid it in formal contexts.

Consejos

Particle Usage

Always pair '질문' (question) with '-에' when using '대답하다'. '질문을 대답하다' sounds slightly unnatural to native speakers.

Respect

In Korea, answering quickly is a sign of attentiveness and respect. Don't leave people hanging!

Synonyms

Learn '답변하다' for your business meetings and '대답하다' for your lunch dates.

The 'Dap' Sound

Make sure the 'p' at the end of 'dap' is a silent, unreleased stop. Don't say 'da-pa'.

Quoting

Use '-라고 대답하다' to report what someone said. Example: '싫어라고 대답했어' (I answered 'I hate it').

Fast Speech

In fast conversation, the 'h' in 'hada' often disappears. Listen for 'daedap-ada'.

Adverbs

Boost your fluency by using adverbs like '솔직하게' (honestly) or '간단하게' (simply) before the verb.

Tap into Answers

Think of 'Dap' as a 'Tap' on your shoulder asking for an answer.

Email vs Voice

Remember: Voice = 대답, Email/Text = 답장.

Silence

'대답이 없다' is a powerful phrase in Korean to describe someone being ignored or a lack of reaction.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Dae' as 'Day' and 'Dap' as 'Tap'. If someone 'taps' you during the 'day', you 'Dae-dap' (answer) them.

Asociación visual

Imagine a student with their hand raised high, shouting 'Dae-dap!' to get the teacher's attention.

Word Web

질문 (Question) 선생님 (Teacher) 전화 (Phone) 네 (Yes) 아니요 (No) 말하기 (Speaking) 소리 (Sound) 답장 (Reply/Mail)

Desafío

Try to say '대답해요' every time you answer a question in English today to build the mental link.

Origen de la palabra

Composed of the Sino-Korean noun '대답' (對答) and the native Korean verb '하다'.

Significado original: 對 (dae) means 'to face' or 'towards', and 答 (dap) means 'to answer' or 'reply'.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based).

Contexto cultural

Be careful not to '대꾸하다' (talk back) to elders, as it uses the same 'answer' root but is considered rude.

In English, 'answering' is often just about information. In Korean, it is heavily tied to social hierarchy and showing respect through the speed and tone of the response.

K-Drama 'Reply 1988' (응답하라 1988) uses a synonym '응답하라' which means 'Respond'. Many Korean children's songs include call-and-response patterns where children must '대답하다'. The phrase '대답해 봐' (Try answering) is a common dramatic line in Korean cinema.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Classroom

질문에 대답해요
손을 들고 대답해요
큰 소리로 대답해요
다 같이 대답해요

Job Interview

솔직하게 대답해요
자신 있게 대답해요
질문에 답변하겠습니다
준비한 대로 대답해요

Daily Life

전화에 대답해요
이름을 부르면 대답해요
빨리 대답해
대답이 없어요

Conflict

대답을 피하지 마세요
똑똑히 대답해
왜 대답 안 해?
대꾸하지 마

Technology

AI가 대답해요
컴퓨터가 응답하지 않아요
대답을 검색해요
자동으로 대답해요

Inicios de conversación

"제 질문에 대답해 줄 수 있어요? (Can you answer my question?)"

"가장 대답하기 힘들었던 질문이 뭐예요? (What was the hardest question to answer?)"

"왜 아까 제 전화에 대답 안 했어요? (Why didn't you answer my call earlier?)"

"면접에서 어떻게 대답하는 게 좋을까요? (How should I answer in an interview?)"

"그 사람의 대답이 만족스러웠나요? (Was that person's answer satisfactory?)"

Temas para diario

오늘 누군가의 질문에 대답했던 경험에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about an experience where you answered someone's question today.)

대답하기 어려운 질문을 받았을 때 어떻게 하나요? (What do you do when you receive a difficult question to answer?)

진실하게 대답하는 것이 왜 중요한가요? (Why is it important to answer truthfully?)

침묵이 때로는 최고의 대답이 될 수 있을까요? (Can silence sometimes be the best answer?)

만약 미래의 자신에게 질문할 수 있다면, 어떤 대답을 듣고 싶나요? (If you could ask your future self a question, what answer would you want to hear?)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is better to use '답장하다' (dap-jang-hada) for emails and text messages. '대답하다' is mostly for verbal communication.

Use the particle '-에'. So, '질문에 대답하다' is the correct way to say 'answer a question'.

The word itself is neutral. To make it polite, you must conjugate it correctly, like '대답해요' or '대답하세요'.

대답 is everyday 'answer'. 답변 is formal 'reply/response' often used in professional or official contexts.

You can say '말대꾸하지 마세요' or '대꾸하지 마세요'. Using '대답하지 마' would just mean 'Don't answer'.

Yes, '대답을 하다' (noun + particle + verb) and '대답하다' (compound verb) mean the same thing.

You say '대답이 없어요'. This can mean you don't know the answer or you are choosing not to speak.

Yes, '답하다' is a shortened version often used in writing or formal speeches.

It means 'asking and answering one's own question'. It is a common four-character idiom (Sajaseong-eo).

Yes, but '전화를 받다' (receive/pick up a call) is more common. '전화에 대답하다' implies responding to what someone said on the phone.

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