応
apply, answer, yes, OK, reply, accept
Readings
On'yomi
- オウ
- ヨウ
- -ノウ
Kun'yomi
- あた.る
- まさに
- こた.える
Nanori
- お
- たか
- まさ
Meaning
応 centers on a responsive action: applying oneself to a situation, answering a call, or accepting a request. The meanings 'yes' and 'OK' are natural affirmative responses.
Most common words using 応
24 of 374- 対応たいおうN2
correspondence (to); equivalence
- 反応はんのうN2
reaction; response
- 応援おうえんN3
aid; assistance; help; support; reinforcement
- 一応いちおうN3
more or less; though not quite satisfactorily; after a fashion; pretty much; roughly; so far as it goes; technically
- 応募おうぼN2
application; subscription; entry (competition, raffle, etc.); enlistment
- 応ずるおうずるN2
to answer; to respond; to meet
- 応用おうようN2
(practical) application; putting to practical use
- 相応しいふさわしいN2
appropriate; adequate; suitable; fitting; worthy
- 適応てきおうN2
adaptation; accommodation; conformity
- 応答おうとうN2
reply; answer; response
- 相応そうおうN1
suitable; appropriate; befitting; becoming; adequate; reasonable; proper
- 応えるこたえるN2
to respond; to answer; to meet (e.g. demands, expectations)
- 応じるおうじるN3
to respond; to satisfy; to accept; to comply with; to apply for
- 応急おうきゅうN1
emergency fix; tentative measure; temporary solution
- 順応じゅんのう
adaptation; accommodation; conforming; adjustment
- 応対おうたいN2
dealing with (people, customers, complaints, etc.); receiving (callers, visitors, etc.); attending to; handling; serving
- 手応えてごたえN1
feeling in the hands (when striking, poking, etc.); (feeling of) resistance
- 呼応こおう
hailing each other
- 応酬おうしゅう
exchange (of words, views, punches, cups, etc.); give-and-take
- 不相応ふそうおうN1
unsuited; inappropriate; improper; undeserved
- 応接おうせつN2
reception (e.g. of visitors); dealing with
- 応札おうさつ
making a bid; tendering a bid
- 応分おうぶん
according to one's abilities; appropriate; reasonable
- 拒絶反応きょぜつはんのう
(transplant) rejection
Study
Etymology
応 is the modern simplified form of 應. The older form combines 心 (heart/mind) with a phonetic component that also suggests a bird's response, conveying the idea of answering or reacting from the heart.
Meaning mnemonic
Under a roof (广), the heart (心) responds: when someone calls, your heart answers, so 応 means to reply, accept, or apply yourself.
Reading mnemonic
For オウ, imagine an 'O' shape forming around your heart as you answer 'OK': O -> オウ, and your heart responds.