返事 (へんじ, henji) Japanese meaning: reply | KotomoraCommon word›JLPTN4›Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000返事する · noun or participle which takes 'suru'
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|
| Dictionary | 返事する | 返事しない |
|---|
| Polite | 返事します | 返事しません |
|---|
| Past polite | 返事しました | 返事しませんでした |
|---|
| Past | 返事した | 返事しなかった |
|---|
| Te-form | 返事して | 返事しないで |
|---|
| Desire | 返事したい | 返事したくない |
|---|
| Potential | 返事できる | 返事できない |
|---|
| Passive | 返事される | 返事されない |
|---|
| Causative | 返事させる | 返事させない |
|---|
| Causative passive | 返事させられる | 返事させられない |
|---|
| Volitional | 返事しよう | |
|---|
| Polite volitional | 返事しましょう | |
|---|
| Imperative | 返事しろ | 返事するな |
|---|
| Conditional | 返事すれば | 返事しなければ |
|---|
| Tara conditional | 返事したら | 返事しなかったら |
|---|
事
を
まだ
書
い
て
い
ない
。
I haven't written a reply to the email yet.
I called his name, but there was no answer.
Usage patterns
〈人〉に返事するto reply to someone
I replied to the teacher's question.
返事を書くto write a reply
I wrote a reply to the email.
返事を待つto wait for a reply
I'm waiting for her reply.
返事が来るfor a reply to come
I still haven't received a reply to my inquiry.
返事に困るto be at a loss for how to reply
I was asked a strange question and didn't know how to reply.
相槌 is a brief verbal cue like 'uh-huh' showing you're listening, while 返事 is a fuller reply or answer to what was said.
返事 is a casual, everyday reply to someone, whereas 答弁 is a formal, structured response given in an official or legal setting.
返事 is a general reply or answer, while 挨拶 in this sense is a more formal response, as in New Year's cards.
返事 is a general, everyday word for any kind of reply or answer, whereas リプライ specifically refers to a written reply in digital platforms.
返事 refers specifically to a verbal or written reply, while 反応 covers any kind of reaction, verbal or not.
返事 refers specifically to a verbal or written reply, whereas リアクション can also cover facial expressions, gestures, or other nonverbal responses.
返事 is the everyday word for a reply in speech or writing, while レス is specifically online chat/forum jargon.
返事する is a neutral 'to reply' with no argumentative overtone, whereas 言い返す often implies answering back or retorting.
返事する is more casual and often used for a simple reply or acknowledgment, while 答える is broader and can be more formal.
absent-minded reply; vague response; noncommittal answer
ready reply; quick answer