Translation guide
The English verb 'respond' covers a range of situations from answering a question to reacting to an event. In Japanese, the best choice depends on what you are responding to and the medium. This guide breaks down the main uses and gives natural Japanese equivalents.
To reply to a question, letter, email, or message.
The most common verb for answering a question. Used for both spoken and written replies.
質問に答えてください。
Please respond to the question.
彼はメールにすぐ答えた。
He responded to the email right away.
Specifically for replying to messages, letters, or invitations. Implies a response in kind.
招待状に返事をしなければならない。
I have to respond to the invitation.
彼女からまだ返事が来ない。
I haven't received a response from her yet.
More formal, often used in technical or business contexts for responding to signals, calls, or formal inquiries.
システムが応答しません。
The system is not responding.
To react or take action in response to an event, change, or stimulus.
General verb for reacting physically, emotionally, or behaviorally. Works for people, animals, and machines.
彼はその知らせに驚いて反応した。
He responded to the news with surprise.
犬が音に反応して吠えた。
The dog responded to the sound by barking.
To deal with or handle a situation, often implying a measured or appropriate response. Common in business and customer service.
クレームに迅速に対応した。
We responded to the complaint quickly.
状況に応じて対応します。
We will respond according to the situation.
To respond to a request, demand, or invitation; often implies compliance or acceptance. Used in formal contexts.
To reply or continue a conversation, often in a casual or interactive way.
Casual verb for replying or answering back, often used in spoken Japanese. Implies a quick or direct response.
彼の冗談にうまく返せなかった。
I couldn't respond well to his joke.
「はい」と返した。
I responded with 'yes'.
To fail to respond or to be unresponsive.
Common phrase meaning 'there is no response' or 'unresponsive'. Used for people, devices, etc.
何度呼んでも反応がなかった。
No matter how many times I called, there was no response.
Specifically for lack of reply to a message or question.
メールを送ったが、返事がない。
I sent an email but got no response.
To ignore; implies deliberately not responding.
Stronger than simply not responding; implies intentional disregard.
彼は私の質問を無視した。
He ignored my question (did not respond).
答える is for answering questions. 返事する is for replying to messages or calls. 反応する is for reacting to stimuli or events. Choose based on what you are responding to.
In English, 'respond' is often used where Japanese would use a more specific verb or omit the object. For example, 'respond to treatment' is 治療に反応する (ちりょうにはんのうする), not 答える. Always consider the context.
要請に応じて支援を送った。
We responded to the request by sending aid.
Literally 'return words', meaning to talk back or reply, sometimes with a nuance of retort.
彼はすぐに言葉を返した。
He responded immediately.