答
solution, answer
Readings
On'yomi
- トウ
Kun'yomi
- こた.える
- こた.え
Nanori
- どう
Meaning
答 centers on responding to a question or problem: giving an answer or solution.
Most common words using 答
20 of 111- 答えこたえN5
answer; reply; response
- 回答かいとうN3
reply; answer
- 答えるこたえるN5
to answer; to reply
- 応答おうとうN2
reply; answer; response
- 返答へんとうN1
reply; answer
- 解答かいとうN3
answer; solution
- 答弁とうべんN1
response; reply; answer; defence; defense
- 問答もんどうN2
questions and answers; dialogue
- 即答そくとう
immediate reply
- 受け答えうけこたえ
reply; response; answer
- 答案とうあんN3
examination paper; examination script; answer sheet
- 自問自答じもんじとう
answering one's own question; wondering to oneself; soliloquizing; soliloquising
- 答申とうしんN1
report; reply; findings
- 贈答ぞうとう
exchange of presents
- 正答せいとうN3
correct answer
- 口答えくちごたえN1
retort; back talk; backchat
- 押し問答おしもんどうN1
arguing back and forth; bandying words; verbal tug-of-war
- 答辞とうじ
address in reply (e.g. at a ceremony); formal reply
- 禅問答ぜんもんどう
Zen dialogue; Zen questions and answers
- 名答めいとう
excellent answer; clever answer
Study
Etymology
答 combines 竹 (bamboo) and 合 (to fit, join). Historically, it likely referred to a bamboo tally or document used to match or answer, extending to the idea of a reply or solution.
Meaning mnemonic
Bamboo 竹 slips fit together 合 like a perfect answer clicking into place. Think of joining bamboo pieces to solve a puzzle.
Reading mnemonic
For トウ, imagine a toe tapping as the answer clicks: toe -> トウ, and the bamboo pieces fit together with a satisfying tap.