When using the verb こたえる (kotaeru) to mean "to answer" or "to reply," it's often paired with the particle に (ni) to indicate the person or thing being answered. For example, 先生に質問にこたえる (sensei ni shitsumon ni kotaeru) means "to answer the teacher's question."
However, こたえる can also imply a more general response or reaction to something. For instance, 期待にこたえる (kitai ni kotaeru) means "to live up to expectations." In this sense, it's about responding adequately to a demand or request rather than just giving an informational answer.
Another common usage is for things that have an effect or impact, like 寒さが身にこたえる (samusa ga mi ni kotaeru), meaning "the cold is biting." Here, こたえる conveys that something is having a strong, often negative, effect on one's body or feelings.
It's important to differentiate these nuances as you advance in your Japanese studies. While the core meaning of responding remains, the context can shift the exact interpretation significantly.
When using the verb こたえる (kotaeru) to mean "to answer" or "to reply," it's often paired with the particle に (ni) to indicate the person or thing being answered. For example, 先生に質問にこたえる (sensei ni shitsumon ni kotaeru) means "to answer the teacher's question."
However, こたえる can also imply a more general response or reaction to something. For instance, 期待にこたえる (kitai ni kotaeru) means "to live up to expectations."
You might also encounter こたえる in phrases like 心にこたえる (kokoro ni kotaeru), which means "to touch one's heart" or "to resonate with one's feelings." In these cases, the nuance shifts from a simple answer to a deeper, more emotional response.
It's important to remember that while こたえる covers a broad range of "answering" or "responding" situations, the specific particle used with it often clarifies the exact context and meaning.
こたえる 30秒了解
- Use こたえる when you 'answer' a question.
- It's also used for 'replying' to someone.
- Remember it means to give a response.
需要掌握的语法
When asking a yes/no question, use か (ka) at the end of the sentence. When answering, you typically omit か.
これ、あなたのペンですか？ (Kore, anata no pen desu ka?) - Is this your pen? はい、私のペンです。(Hai, watashi no pen desu.) - Yes, it's my pen.
Use に (ni) to indicate the person or thing you are answering to.
先生の質問にこたえる。(Sensei no shitsumon ni kotaeru.) - To answer the teacher's question.
Use と (to) when quoting someone's answer or when reporting what was said.
彼は「はい」とこたえました。(Kare wa 'hai' to kotaemashita.) - He answered, 'Yes.'
The plain form of こたえる is こたえる. The polite form is こたえます (kotaemasu).
質問にこたえる。(Shitsumon ni kotaeru.) - To answer a question (plain). 質問にこたえます。(Shitsumon ni kotaemasu.) - I will answer a question (polite).
The past tense of こたえる is こたえた (kotaeta) (plain) or こたえました (kotaemashita) (polite).
電話にこたえた。(Denwa ni kotaeta.) - I answered the phone (plain). 電話にこたえました。(Denwa ni kotaemashita.) - I answered the phone (polite).
按水平分级的例句
質問に答えてください。
Please answer the question.
〜に答える (kotaeru) is a common pattern for 'to answer [a question/request]'.
先生の質問に答える。
To answer the teacher's question.
Here, '先生の質問' (sensei no shitsumon) means 'the teacher's question'.
電話に答える。
To answer the phone.
This is a common way to say 'to answer the phone' in Japanese.
メールにまだ答えていません。
I haven't replied to the email yet.
まだ〜ていません (mada ~te imasen) means 'haven't ~ yet'.
彼の提案に答える。
To respond to his proposal.
提案 (teian) means 'proposal' or 'suggestion'.
あなたの期待に答えることができませんでした。
I couldn't meet your expectations.
期待 (kitai) means 'expectations'. 〜ことができませんでした (koto ga dekimasen deshita) means 'was unable to ~'.
彼はいつも正直に答える。
He always answers honestly.
正直に (shoujiki ni) means 'honestly' or 'frankly'.
この問題に答えられますか？
Can you answer this problem?
〜られますか (raremasu ka) indicates ability or possibility, 'can you ~?'
その質問にはっきりと答えることができなかった。
I couldn't answer that question clearly.
彼の提案に対して、私たちはどのように答えるべきでしょうか？
How should we respond to his proposal?
電話が鳴っているのに、誰も出ない。どうしたのだろう。
The phone is ringing, but no one is answering. What's wrong?
先生の質問に、彼はすぐに答えた。
He immediately answered the teacher's question.
彼女の助けを求める声に、彼はためらうことなく答えた。
He responded without hesitation to her cry for help.
その問いに答えるためには、もっと情報が必要です。
To answer that question, I need more information.
試験問題は難しかったが、なんとか全てに答えることができた。
The exam questions were difficult, but I managed to answer all of them.
彼は、彼女の期待に応える形で行動した。
He acted in a way that met her expectations.
容易混淆的词
Focus on answering a question or providing information.
Focus on sending a reply back, especially to a message or call.
Focus on dealing with a situation or handling a problem.
语法模式
习语与表达
"質問にこたえる (shitsumon ni kotaeru)"
To answer a question.
先生が生徒の質問にこたえました。 (Sensei ga seito no shitsumon ni kotaemashita.) - The teacher answered the student's question.
neutral"電話にこたえる (denwa ni kotaeru)"
To answer the phone.
電話が鳴っているけど、誰もこたえない。 (Denwa ga natteiru kedo, daremo kotaenai.) - The phone is ringing, but nobody is answering.
neutral"期待にこたえる (kitai ni kotaeru)"
To live up to expectations; to meet expectations.
彼はみんなの期待にこたえて、素晴らしい結果を出した。 (Kare wa minna no kitai ni kotaete, subarashii kekka o dashita.) - He lived up to everyone's expectations and produced great results.
neutral"要求にこたえる (yōkyū ni kotaeru)"
To respond to a request; to comply with a demand.
会社は顧客の要求にこたえるべきだ。 (Kaisha wa kokyaku no yōkyū ni kotaeru beki da.) - Companies should respond to customer requests.
neutral"希望にこたえる (kibō ni kotaeru)"
To grant a wish; to fulfill a hope.
彼女は彼の希望にこたえ、一緒に旅行することにした。 (Kanojo wa kare no kibō ni kotae, issho ni ryokō suru koto ni shita.) - She granted his wish and decided to travel with him.
neutral"声にこたえる (koe ni kotaeru)"
To respond to a call/voice.
母親が子供の声にこたえて、部屋へ行った。 (Hahaoya ga kodomo no koe ni kotaete, heya e itta.) - The mother responded to her child's voice and went to the room.
neutral"返事にこたえる (henji ni kotaeru)"
To reply to a response/answer.
彼のメールにすぐに返事にこたえた。 (Kare no mēru ni sugu ni henji ni kotaeta.) - I immediately replied to his email.
neutral"宿題にこたえる (shukudai ni kotaeru)"
To answer homework questions.
彼は宿題にこたえるのに時間がかかった。 (Kare wa shukudai ni kotaeru no ni jikan ga kakatta.) - It took him a long time to answer the homework questions.
neutral"問いにこたえる (toi ni kotaeru)"
To respond to an inquiry/question (often formal).
委員会は市民の問いにこたえる必要がある。 (Iinkai wa shimin no toi ni kotaeru hitsuyō ga aru.) - The committee needs to respond to the citizens' inquiries.
formal"誘いにこたえる (sasoi ni kotaeru)"
To accept an invitation.
彼女は友人の誘いにこたえ、パーティーに行った。 (Kanojo wa yūjin no sasoi ni kotae, pātī ni itta.) - She accepted her friend's invitation and went to the party.
neutral容易混淆
This verb is often confused with 答える (こたえる) because they sound the same and both relate to responding. However, 応える (こたえる) implies responding to expectations, requests, or feelings, often with a sense of meeting or fulfilling something.
Use 応える (こたえる) when you are responding to a feeling, a request, a challenge, or someone's expectations. It's about meeting or rising to something. Think 'responding in kind' or 'living up to'.
期待に応える (きたいにこたえる) - To live up to expectations. 顧客の要望に応える (こきゃくのようぼうにこたえる) - To respond to customer requests.
This is the more common 'to answer' and is confused with 応える (こたえる) due to identical pronunciation.
Use 答える (こたえる) for answering questions, solving problems, or giving a direct reply to a query. It's a straightforward act of providing information.
質問に答える (しつもんにこたえる) - To answer a question. 問題に答える (もんだいにこたえる) - To answer a problem (provide a solution).
This verb also means 'to reply' and can be used interchangeably with 答える (こたえる) in some contexts, leading to confusion.
While 答える (こたえる) is often about providing information (an answer), 返事する (へんじする) is more about sending a response back, especially to a call, a letter, or a message. It focuses on the act of replying rather than the content of the answer.
メールに返事する (めーるにへんじする) - To reply to an email. 電話の呼び出しに返事する (でんわのよびだしにへんじする) - To answer a phone call (respond to the ring).
This word can also mean 'to respond' or 'to deal with', and its broad meaning can sometimes overlap with こたえる.
対応する (たいおうする) implies handling a situation, dealing with a problem, or corresponding to something. It's often about taking action or making adjustments in response to a situation, rather than just giving an answer or fulfilling an expectation.
緊急事態に対応する (きんきゅうじたいにたいおうする) - To respond to an emergency. お客様の苦情に対応する (おきゃくさまのくじょうにたいおうする) - To deal with a customer complaint.
In some contexts, 受ける (うける) can imply 'receiving' something, and then subsequently 'responding' to it, which might be confusing for learners.
受ける (うける) primarily means 'to receive', 'to take', or 'to undergo'. While you might receive a question and then answer it, 受ける itself doesn't mean 'to answer'. It's the action of taking something in.
試験を受ける (しけんをうける) - To take an exam. 影響を受ける (えいきょうをうける) - To be affected by something.
句型
〜に こたえます (ni kotaemasu)
質問に こたえます。
〜と こたえます (to kotaemasu)
「はい」と こたえます。
（誰々）が（質問）に こたえます ((dare-dare) ga (shitsumon) ni kotaemasu)
先生が 学生の質問に こたえます。
（誰々）は（質問）に こたえませんでした ((dare-dare) wa (shitsumon) ni kotaemasen deshita)
彼は 私の質問に こたえませんでした。
（質問）に こたえる ことが できますか？ ((shitsumon) ni kotaeru koto ga dekimasu ka?)
その質問に こたえる ことが できますか？
（質問）に こたえる ように （誰々）に 頼みました ((shitsumon) ni kotaeru yō ni (dare-dare) ni tanomimashita)
先生に 私の質問に こたえる ように 頼みました。
（誰々）からの（質問）に こたえます ((dare-dare) kara no (shitsumon) ni kotaemasu)
お客様からの質問に こたえます。
（質問）に 正しく こたえる (shitsumon) ni tadashiku kotaeru
難しい質問に 正しく こたえる。
如何使用
When こたえる is used, it usually means providing an answer or response to a question or statement. It's a common verb in daily conversation. For example, if someone asks you a question, you would こたえる. It can also be used in more formal contexts like answering a question on an exam. Example 1: 質問にこたえる。 (To answer a question.) Example 2: メールにこたえる。 (To reply to an email.)
A common mistake is confusing こたえる with similar-sounding verbs that have different meanings. For instance, 応える (こたえる), though pronounced the same, means 'to respond to a feeling or expectation' or 'to live up to something,' and it's written with a different kanji. For example, if you want to say 'to live up to expectations,' you would use 期待に応える (きたいにこたえる), not 質問にこたえる. Another point to remember is that こたえる often takes the particle に to indicate what is being answered. So, it's 質問にこたえる, not 質問をこたえる.
小贴士
Basic use of こたえる
こたえる (kotaeru) means 'to answer' or 'to reply'. You'll use it when responding to a question or a statement.
Particle for the question/statement
When you answer a question (質問 - shitsumon) or a statement, you often use the particle 「に」 (ni) after the thing you are responding to. For example, 質問にこたえる (shitsumon ni kotaeru) means 'to answer a question'.
Conjugation: ます form
The polite form is こたえます (kotaemasu). Use this in most everyday conversations. For example, 質問にこたえます (shitsumon ni kotaemasu) means 'I will answer the question'.
Conjugation: て form
The て (te) form is こたえて (kotaete). This is used for linking clauses, giving commands, or requesting. For example, 質問にこたえてください (shitsumon ni kotaete kudasai) means 'Please answer the question'.
Conjugation: Past tense
The past tense is こたえた (kotaeta). For example, 質問にこたえた (shitsumon ni kotaeta) means 'I answered the question'.
Example: Answering a phone call
電話にこたえる (denwa ni kotaeru) means 'to answer the phone'. Even though the phone isn't a question, you are responding to its ring.
Example: Responding to expectations
期待にこたえる (kitai ni kotaeru) means 'to meet expectations' or 'to live up to expectations'. Here, you are responding to someone's hope or trust.
Contrast with へんじする (henji suru)
While へんじする (henji suru) also means 'to reply', こたえる (kotaeru) has a broader meaning, including responding to things that aren't direct questions, like calls or expectations.
Don't confuse with こたえる (kotTAeru)
Be careful not to confuse こたえる (kotaeru) with こたえる (kotTAeru), which can mean 'to affect' or 'to be hard on' (e.g.,体にこたえる - karada ni kotaeru 'to be hard on the body'). The pronunciation is slightly different.
Formal usage in writing
In more formal writing, you might see 応える as the kanji for こたえる, especially when meaning 'to respond to' or 'to live up to' (e.g., 恩にこたえる - on ni kotaeru 'to repay a kindness').
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of a 'ko-TA-e-ru' bear that always gives a polite answer.
视觉联想
Imagine a friendly robot named Kota who always answers your questions with a cheerful 'e-ru!'
Word Web
挑战
Try to answer three questions in Japanese using こたえる today. For example, when someone asks '元気ですか？' (Genki desu ka? - How are you?), you could answer 'はい、元気です！' (Hai, genki desu! - Yes, I'm fine!) and mentally note that you 'こたえました' (kotaemashita - answered).
常见问题
10 个问题こたえる is a plain form verb. Here's how it changes:
• **Polite form:** こたえます (kotaemasu)
• **Past tense (plain):** こたえた (kotaeta)
• **Past tense (polite):** こたえました (kotaemashita)
• **Negative (plain):** こたえない (kotaenai)
• **Negative (polite):** こたえません (kotaemasen)
Both mean 'to answer' or 'to reply,' but こたえる is often used for answering questions, solving problems, or responding to expectations.
返事する is generally used for replying to communications like messages, calls, or when someone speaks to you.
Think of こたえる as responding to content, and 返事する as responding to a person's communication.
No, you generally don't use こたえる for answering the phone. For that, you would typically use 電話に出る (denwa ni deru), which means 'to answer the phone' or 'to take a call'.
The most common particle used with こたえる is に (ni), indicating the thing being answered or responded to.
Example: 質問にこたえる (shitsumon ni kotaeru) - to answer a question.
The plain form こたえる is informal. For formal situations, you should use its polite form: こたえます (kotaemasu).
For even higher politeness, you might see おこたえする (okotae suru) as an humble expression.
You can say: 質問にこたえました。 (Shitsumon ni kotaemashita.)
This uses the polite past tense form.
They are the same word! こたえる is the hiragana spelling, and 答える is the kanji spelling.
In general, using the kanji 答える is more common in written Japanese once you've learned it.
Yes, absolutely! こたえる can mean 'to live up to expectations' or 'to meet expectations.'
Example: 期待にこたえる (kitai ni kotaeru) - to live up to/meet expectations.
You can ask: こたえましたか？ (Kotaemashita ka?) - Did you answer? (polite)
Or informally: こたえた？ (Kotaeta?) - Did you answer?
Not necessarily. While it's often used for verbal answers, it can also refer to non-verbal responses, like answering a puzzle or fulfilling a request.
The key is a 'response' to something.
自我测试 48 个问题
Which of these means 'to answer'?
「こたえる」means 'to answer' or 'to reply'.
You want to say 'Please answer.' Which is correct?
「こたえてください」uses the -te form of 「こたえる」with 「ください」to ask someone to do something.
If someone asks you a question, what verb would you use to describe what you do next?
When someone asks a question, you 'answer' it, which is 「こたえる」.
「こたえる」means 'to eat'.
「こたえる」means 'to answer' or 'to reply'. 「たべる」means 'to eat'.
If you hear a question, you should 「こたえる」.
Yes, if you hear a question, you should 'answer' it (こたえる).
「こたえる」is used when you reply to a message.
「こたえる」can be used when you reply to a message, as it means 'to reply'.
先生の質問に___。
The sentence means 'To answer the teacher's question.' 'こたえる' (kotaeru) means 'to answer.'
電話に___。
The sentence means 'To answer the phone.' 'こたえる' (kotaeru) is used when you answer a call.
メールに___。
The sentence means 'To reply to an email.' 'こたえる' (kotaeru) means 'to reply' in this context.
質問に___のは大切です。
The sentence means 'It's important to answer questions.' 'こたえる' (kotaeru) is the correct verb for 'to answer.'
彼の手紙に___ました。
The sentence means 'I replied to his letter.' We use the stem of 'こたえる' (kotaeru) for past tense with -ました.
私の質問に___ください。
The sentence means 'Please answer my question.' 'こたえて' (kotaete) is the te-form of 'こたえる' (kotaeru), used for requests.
Write a short sentence using こたえる to say 'Please answer the question.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
質問にこたえてください。
Write a sentence saying 'I will answer.' using こたえる.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
こたえます。
Form a sentence asking 'Did you answer the teacher?' using こたえる.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先生にこたえましたか？
What did the person do?
Read this passage:
友達からのメッセージにこたえました。でも、まだ返事はありません。
What did the person do?
こたえました means 'replied'. 友達からのメッセージ means 'message from a friend'.
こたえました means 'replied'. 友達からのメッセージ means 'message from a friend'.
What happened?
Read this passage:
電話にこたえるのが遅くなりました。
What happened?
遅くなりました means 'became late' or 'was late'. 電話にこたえる means 'to answer the phone'.
遅くなりました means 'became late' or 'was late'. 電話にこたえる means 'to answer the phone'.
What was difficult?
Read this passage:
テストの質問にこたえるのが難しかったです。
What was difficult?
質問にこたえる means 'to answer questions'. 難しかったです means 'it was difficult'.
質問にこたえる means 'to answer questions'. 難しかったです means 'it was difficult'.
This phrase means 'to answer a question.' The particle 'に' (ni) marks the indirect object of the verb.
This means 'I will answer the teacher's question.' 'の' (no) indicates possession, and 'に' (ni) marks the indirect object. 'こたえます' is the polite form of 'こたえる'.
This translates to 'Please answer the phone.' 'こたえて' is the te-form of 'こたえる', used here with 'ください' (kudasai) to form a polite request.
先生の質問に___のは大切です。
To reply to the teacher's question.
電話で友達の質問に___。
To answer a friend's question on the phone.
メールの返信を___必要があります。
You need to reply to the email.
彼はいつも正直に質問に___。
He always answers questions honestly.
会議で質問に___ことができませんでした。
I couldn't answer the question in the meeting.
彼女は質問に___前に少し考えました。
She thought for a bit before answering the question.
会議で難しい質問に___のは、とてもストレスだった。
「こたえる」は質問や呼びかけに応答する意味で使われます。
電話が鳴っても、誰も___なかった。
電話が鳴ったときに「こたえる」は電話に出る、応答するという意味で使われます。
彼女の呼びかけに___者はいなかった。
「呼びかけにこたえる」は、誰かの呼びかけに応答するという意味です。
先生の質問に「はい」と___た。
質問に「はい」と答える、つまり「こたえる」は正しい使い方です。
私は友達のメールにすぐに___た。
メールに返信する意味で「こたえる」は使えます。
犬が私の名前を呼んで___た。
「こたえる」は、通常、人間や高度な知能を持つ生き物が応答する場合に使われます。犬が名前を呼ぶことはありません。
複雑な質問にもかかわらず、彼は冷静に___。
文脈から、複雑な質問に対して「答える」のが適切です。
彼の突然の提案に、誰もがどう___べきか困惑した。
提案に対しては「答える」という行為が自然です。
顧客からの厳しい意見にも、彼は誠実に___。
「誠実に」という言葉から、意見に対して真摯に「答える」という意味の「応じた」が適切です。
面接官の意図を正確に捉え、的確に___ことが重要だ。
面接では質問に「答える」ことが求められます。
その質問には、熟考の末、ようやく___を得た。
「熟考の末」という表現から、質問に対して「答え」が見つかったことが示唆されます。
難しい問いかけにも、彼は臆することなく___。
「臆することなく」という言葉から、難しい問いかけに対しても堂々と「答えた」ことがわかります。
This phrase means 'to answer the question immediately.' The particle 'に' marks the indirect object of the verb 'こたえる.' 'すぐ' is an adverb meaning 'immediately.'
This means 'to answer the teacher's question.' '先生の' indicates possession, meaning 'teacher's.'
This phrase means 'I was late in answering the phone.' '電話に こたえる' is 'to answer the phone.' 'のが 遅れた' means 'was late in doing'.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
こたえる is the essential verb for 'to answer' or 'to reply' in Japanese.
- Use こたえる when you 'answer' a question.
- It's also used for 'replying' to someone.
- Remember it means to give a response.
Basic use of こたえる
こたえる (kotaeru) means 'to answer' or 'to reply'. You'll use it when responding to a question or a statement.
Particle for the question/statement
When you answer a question (質問 - shitsumon) or a statement, you often use the particle 「に」 (ni) after the thing you are responding to. For example, 質問にこたえる (shitsumon ni kotaeru) means 'to answer a question'.
Conjugation: ます form
The polite form is こたえます (kotaemasu). Use this in most everyday conversations. For example, 質問にこたえます (shitsumon ni kotaemasu) means 'I will answer the question'.
Conjugation: て form
The て (te) form is こたえて (kotaete). This is used for linking clauses, giving commands, or requesting. For example, 質問にこたえてください (shitsumon ni kotaete kudasai) means 'Please answer the question'.
相关内容
这个词在其他语言中
更多communication词汇
について
A2about; concerning
宛先
B1The address or name of the recipient to whom mail or an email is sent.
番地
A2House number
賛同
B1Approval, endorsement; support or agreement with an idea.
~も
A2Too, also.
〜そして
A1And then; and (used to connect sentences or clauses).
〜や
A2And; and so forth (used to list examples, implying others exist).
たり
A2Indicates a non-exhaustive list of actions/states ('and so on').
お知らせ
B1Notice; an announcement or communication.
答え
A2A thing said, written, or done as a reaction to a question or statement.
