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.
Please respond to the question.
Specifically for replying to messages, letters, or invitations. Implies a response in kind.
I have to respond to the invitation.
More formal, often used in technical or business contexts for responding to signals, calls, or formal inquiries.
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.
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.
To fail to respond or to be unresponsive.
Common phrase meaning 'there is no response' or 'unresponsive'. Used for people, devices, etc.
He responded to the email right away.
I haven't received a response from her yet.
He responded to the news with surprise.
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.
We responded to the complaint quickly.
We will respond according to the situation.
To respond to a request, demand, or invitation; often implies compliance or acceptance. Used in formal contexts.
We responded to the request by sending aid.
I couldn't respond well to his joke.
I responded with 'yes'.
Literally 'return words', meaning to talk back or reply, sometimes with a nuance of retort.
He responded immediately.
No matter how many times I called, there was no response.
Specifically for lack of reply to a message or question.
I sent an email but got no response.
To ignore; implies deliberately not responding.
Stronger than simply not responding; implies intentional disregard.
He ignored my question (did not respond).
reply to an email
respond to a stimulus
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.
I'm waiting for him to respond.
Waiting for a reply.