Translation guide
The English word "respondent" can refer to a person who answers a survey, a defendant in a legal case, or someone who replies in a formal context. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
A person who answers a survey, questionnaire, or poll.
The most common and neutral term for someone who answers a survey or questionnaire.
There were 500 respondents to the survey.
Explicitly specifies 'survey respondent', often used in formal or research contexts.
We analyzed the demographics of the survey respondents.
Used in academic or formal research to refer to survey subjects or respondents. More formal than 回答者.
Of the respondents, 80% answered in favor.
A person against whom a legal action is brought, especially in civil or family law.
General term for defendant in both civil and criminal cases. In civil contexts, it corresponds to 'respondent'.
In a divorce case, the respondent is the former spouse.
Used specifically in family court proceedings or non-contentious cases, such as domestic relations or mediation. More precise than 被告 in those contexts.
A general term for the opposing party in legal or formal disputes, often used when the specific role (plaintiff/defendant) is not emphasized.
Someone who responds to a formal request, summons, or communication.
A direct translation of 'respondent', but rarely used in natural Japanese. It may appear in technical or translated documents.
This word is not common in everyday Japanese. Use 回答者 for surveys or 被告 for legal contexts instead.
The respondent answered the question.
回答者 is the standard term for survey respondents. 被告 is the legal term for a defendant/respondent in court. 応答者 is a literal translation that is rarely used naturally. Choose based on context.
Directly translating 'respondent' as 応答者 often sounds unnatural. Use the context-appropriate term: 回答者 for surveys, 被告 for legal cases, or rephrase the sentence to avoid the noun altogether.
In the family court hearing, the respondent stated their opinion.
The respondent in the hearing hired a lawyer.