回答する

The Japanese verb 回答する (かいとうする - kaitou suru) is a formal term that translates to 'to answer,' 'to reply,' or 'to respond.' While the everyday verb 答える (こたえる - kotaeru) is used for general questions like 'What is your name?' or 'How was your day?', 回答する is specifically reserved for official, structured, or professional contexts. It is most commonly seen in the context of surveys, questionnaires, official inquiries from organizations, and formal business correspondence. When you use this word, you are implying a level of responsibility and formality in the act of providing information. It is not just a casual verbal response; it is often a written or documented reply that serves as an official statement of fact or opinion.

Formal Inquiry

Used when a company or government body asks for specific data or a formal stance on an issue.

Surveys and Polls

The standard term for 'filling out' or 'responding to' an アンケート (survey).

Business Correspondence

Replying to a client's formal request for a quote or a project update.

In the Japanese workplace, clarity and formality are paramount. If a manager asks you to 'answer' a client, they might use the word 返信する (reply to mail) or 回答する if the reply requires a formal explanation or data. Understanding the nuance between these terms helps you navigate the social hierarchy and professional expectations of Japanese society. For instance, in a legal setting, a defendant provides a kaitou to the court's summons. In a marketing setting, a consumer provides a kaitou to a brand's research survey. The word carries the weight of 'officiality' that simpler verbs lack. It is composed of two kanji: 回 (revolve/times) and 答 (answer), suggesting a 'return' of an answer to a specific prompt.

Furthermore, the distinction between 回答 and 解答 (both pronounced 'kaitou') is a common point of confusion even for native speakers in writing. While 回答 is a 'response' to a question or request, 解答 is the 'solution' to a problem or a test question. If you are solving a math problem, you use 解答. If you are answering a customer's complaint, you use 回答. This distinction is vital for JLPT exams and professional writing. By mastering 回答する, you demonstrate a B1-level proficiency where you can distinguish between social registers and use the appropriate vocabulary for professional environments.

Using 回答する correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure as a suru-verb. It typically takes the particle に to indicate the target of the response (the question or the person asking) and を if you are specifying the content of the answer, though に is much more common for the prompt itself. For example, 質問に回答する (to answer a question). Because it is a formal word, it is frequently used in the polite -masu form (回答します) or the humble/honorific forms in business settings (ご回答申し上げる or ご回答いただく).

Standard Pattern

[Target] + に + 回答する. Example: アンケートに回答する (To respond to a survey).

Passive Usage

[Subject] + は + [Person] + によって + 回答された. Example: その質問は社長によって回答された (That question was answered by the president).

In business emails, you will often see the noun form 回答 used with the honorific prefix ご. A common phrase is ご回答ありがとうございます (Thank you for your reply). When you are the one providing the answer to a superior or a client, you might say 以下の通り回答いたします (I will respond as follows). This level of humility is essential for maintaining 'wa' (harmony) in Japanese professional relationships. Notice how the verb doesn't just mean 'to talk back'; it implies a structured delivery of information. If you are answering a phone, you use 出る (deru), not 回答する. If you are answering a simple 'yes/no' question from a friend, you use 答える. Use 回答する when the stakes are higher or the context is more formal.

Another important aspect is the 'timing' of the answer. Phrases like 即座に回答する (to answer immediately) or 慎重に回答する (to answer carefully) are common in news reports regarding political scandals or corporate announcements. The choice of adverb significantly changes the tone of the kaitou. Because 回答する is a Sino-Japanese word (kango), it sounds more intellectual and objective than the native Japanese (wago) equivalent 答える. This makes it the preferred choice for academic papers, news broadcasts, and legal documents. When you are writing your JLPT B1 essay, using 回答する instead of 答える when discussing social surveys will earn you higher marks for register consistency.

You will encounter 回答する in several specific environments in Japan. First and foremost is the world of **Customer Support and Service**. When you send an inquiry to a company like Amazon Japan or a local utility provider, the automated response will almost always say, '担当者が回答いたします' (A representative will respond). This assures the customer that a formal process is underway. Secondly, in **Mass Media**, news anchors use this word when reporting on government press conferences. They might say, '首相は明言を避けて回答しました' (The Prime Minister responded while avoiding a clear statement). This highlights the formal nature of the interaction between the press and the state.

Television News

Reporting on how politicians or CEOs 'responded' to allegations or inquiries.

University/School

When a professor asks students to 'respond' to a course evaluation survey.

Corporate Meetings

Discussing the results of a market research survey: '70%の人が「はい」と回答しました' (70% of people answered 'Yes').

In everyday life, you might hear it at the **Doctor's Office**. When you fill out a medical history form (問診票), the nurse might ask you to 'すべての質問に回答してください' (Please answer all the questions). Here, it emphasizes the importance of the data being provided. It is also the standard word used in **Software and Apps**. If you are using a Japanese interface for Google Forms or SurveyMonkey, the 'Submit' button for a survey is often labeled as 回答する or 送信する (Send). This digital context has made the word very familiar to younger generations, even if they don't use it in casual conversation with friends.

Finally, you will hear it in **Legal and Political Dramas**. When a character is being interrogated or is testifying, the act of giving an answer is framed as kaitou. It suggests that the answer is now 'on the record.' If you watch shows like 'Hanzawa Naoki' or 'Hero,' pay attention to how the characters use this word during intense negotiations. They don't just 'talk'; they 'respond' with calculated precision. By listening for this word, you can identify the 'official' moments in a conversation versus the casual banter. This distinction is a key milestone in reaching Japanese fluency.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 回答する is confusing it with its homophone 解答する. While both are pronounced kaitou suru, they have very different meanings. 回答 is for responding to a person or a survey (an 'answer' in communication). 解答 is for solving a puzzle, a math problem, or an exam question (a 'solution'). If you write 'I solved the math problem' using 回答, a Japanese person will understand you, but it will look like a significant spelling error. Always remember: 回 is for 'returning' a reply, and 解 is for 'untying' or 'solving' a problem.

Mistake: Over-formality

Using 回答する with friends. Saying '僕の質問に回答して！' to a buddy sounds like you are a robot or a government official. Use 答えて instead.

Mistake: Particle Confusion

Using を instead of に for the question. While '質問を回答する' is occasionally heard, '質問に回答する' is the standard and more natural grammatical structure.

Another mistake is using 回答する when you actually mean 返信する (to reply to an email). While 回答する can be done via email, it refers to the *act of providing the answer content*. 返信する refers to the *act of sending the email back*. If you just want to say 'I'll email you back,' use 返信します. If you want to say 'I will provide the formal answer you requested in your email,' use 回答します. This subtle difference is what separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers. Additionally, avoid using 回答する for physical actions. You cannot 'answer' a door with this word; that is always 出る (deru) or 応対する (outai suru).

Lastly, some learners forget that 回答 is a noun that can also be used with を得る (to obtain an answer). Instead of saying '彼らは回答した' (They answered), you might see '彼らから回答を得た' (We obtained an answer from them). This noun-based construction is very common in formal reports. Misusing the verb-noun balance can make your Japanese sound repetitive. Try to vary your usage between the verb form and the noun form to sound more natural in professional writing.

To truly master 回答する, you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in register and context. The most obvious alternative is 答える (こたえる). This is the 'umbrella' term for answering. It can be used for everything from a child's question to a complex inquiry. However, in a professional setting, 答える can sound a bit too soft or informal. 回答する adds a layer of 'official documentation' to the act. Another similar word is 返答する (へんとうする). This is very close to 回答する but is often used for verbal replies or personal responses rather than data-driven ones like surveys.

回答 (Kaitou) vs. 解答 (Kaitou)

回答: A response to a request/survey. 解答: A solution to a problem/test.

返信 (Henshin)

Specifically 'replying' to a message or email. Focuses on the medium of communication.

応答 (Outou)

A 'response' or 'reaction,' often used in technical contexts (like a server response) or emergency radio calls.

There is also 返事する (へんじする), which is the most common way to say 'reply' in daily life. You 'henji' when someone calls your name or when you RSVP to a party. You would almost never use 回答する for a party RSVP unless it was a very formal corporate event using a survey tool. Another professional term is 対応する (たいおうする), which means 'to deal with' or 'to handle.' Sometimes 'answering' a question involves 'handling' a situation, so these words can overlap. For example, 'クレームに回答する' (responding to a complaint) vs 'クレームに対応する' (handling a complaint).

Finally, consider コメントする (to comment). In some contexts, especially social media or informal business chats, you might 'comment' instead of 'answering.' However, 回答する implies that there was a specific question that needed a specific answer. A 'comment' is more open-ended. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the word that fits the 'social distance' and 'purpose' of your communication. As you move toward B2 and C1 levels, your ability to swap these synonyms based on the environment will be a major indicator of your linguistic sophistication.