Signification
The act of responding to a question or query.
Contexte culturel
In Korean schools, students are taught to answer with a clear '네!' (Yes!) before providing their actual answer. This shows readiness and respect. Similar to Korea, 'Aizuchi' (frequent nodding and verbal agreement) is a form of constant 'answering' to show you are listening, even if no question was asked. In Western cultures, 'answering' is often more direct. If someone doesn't know an answer, they might just say 'I don't know' without the formal preamble required in Korea. The 'Read Receipt' (1 in KakaoTalk) has changed the meaning of 'not answering'. It is now a social statement known as '읽씹' (Read and chew/ignore).
Drop the '을'
In 90% of spoken Korean, people just say '대답해' or '대답해요'. Keeping the '을' makes you sound very deliberate or formal.
Don't be silent
In Korea, not giving a '대답' is often more offensive than giving a wrong answer. Always say something!
Signification
The act of responding to a question or query.
Drop the '을'
In 90% of spoken Korean, people just say '대답해' or '대답해요'. Keeping the '을' makes you sound very deliberate or formal.
Don't be silent
In Korea, not giving a '대답' is often more offensive than giving a wrong answer. Always say something!
Use '드리다' for elders
If your grandfather or boss asks a question, use '대답을 드리겠습니다' to instantly sound like a master of etiquette.
The 'Yes' preamble
Always start your answer with '네' (Yes) even if you are about to say 'No' or disagree. It acknowledges the question was heard.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form.
선생님 질문___ 대답___ 하세요.
You answer 'to' (에) a question and 'do' the answer (을 하다).
Which sentence is the most natural for a job interview?
면접에서 어떻게 말해야 할까요?
'대답을 드리겠습니다' is the formal honorific form suitable for an interview.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 왜 아까 제 질문에 ( )? 나: 미안해요, 못 들었어요.
The context implies the person failed to answer, so '대답을 안 했어요' (didn't answer) is correct.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Answering vs. Talking Back
Banque d exercices
3 exercices선생님 질문___ 대답___ 하세요.
You answer 'to' (에) a question and 'do' the answer (을 하다).
면접에서 어떻게 말해야 할까요?
'대답을 드리겠습니다' is the formal honorific form suitable for an interview.
가: 왜 아까 제 질문에 ( )? 나: 미안해요, 못 들었어요.
The context implies the person failed to answer, so '대답을 안 했어요' (didn't answer) is correct.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, they are grammatically the same. '대답을 하다' is the full form, while '대답하다' is the contracted form used more often in speech.
No. For answering the door, use '나가 보다' (to go and see) or '누구세요?라고 말하다' (to say 'who is it?').
The opposite is '질문을 하다' (to ask a question).
You can say '대답이 없어요' (There is no answer) or '할 대답이 없어요' (I have no answer to give).
The word itself is neutral. Politeness is determined by the verb ending (해요 vs 합니다) and whether you use '드리다'.
It's better to use '답장' (dap-jang) for emails and texts.
It means 'to avoid the answer', usually when someone is dodging a difficult question.
It's a 'filler' that shows you are paying attention and respect the speaker's turn.
Not always, but it often implies a short, sharp, or defensive response. Stick to '대답' to be safe.
You can say '대답해야지!' (You should answer!) or '대답해!' (Answer!).
Expressions liées
답변을 하다
specialized formTo give a formal response
대꾸를 하다
similarTo talk back / To retort
응답을 하다
similarTo respond (technical)
답장을 하다
specialized formTo reply to a message/letter
화답을 하다
specialized formTo respond with a favor or poem
