Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“In response to,” “in answer to,” “to meet (expectations, requests, demands).” It signifies an action taken as a direct consequence of or fulfillment of something.
🎯 Primary Function
To express that one’s actions are performed to satisfy a request, expectation, hope, or demand from someone or something. It implies a sense of fulfilling a duty or rising to a challenge.
📋 Grammar Structure
Noun + に応えて
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Highly common in formal settings, such as business presentations, political speeches, official statements, and solemn declarations.
Informal Situations
Rarely used in casual daily conversations. Its formal tone would sound out of place.
Written Language
Frequently appears in newspapers, official documents, academic papers, formal letters, and literary works.
Spoken Language
Primarily used in formal speeches, public addresses, and serious discussions, not in everyday chats.
💡 Common Applications
Responding to expectations/hopes
Expressing that an action is taken to fulfill someone’s hopes or expectations.
Example: 皆様の期待に応えて、優勝を目指します。(Minasama no kitai ni kotaete, yuushou o mezashimasu.) – In response to everyone’s expectations, I will aim for victory.
Responding to requests/demands
Indicating that an action is performed because of a specific request or demand.
Example: 国民の強い要請に応えて、政府は新たな政策を発表した。(Kokumin no tsuyoi yousei ni kotaete, seifu wa aratana seisaku o happyou shita.) – In response to the strong demands of the citizens, the government announced new policies.
Responding to public opinion/needs
Showing that an action addresses broader societal needs or public sentiment.
Example: 顧客のニーズに応えて、新商品を開発しました。(Kokyaku no niizu ni kotaete, shinshouhin o kaihatsu shimashita.) – In response to customer needs, we developed a new product.
Frequency
Moderate to high in formal and written contexts; low in casual spoken Japanese.
Difficulty
JLPT N2
Example Sentences
彼女はファンの声援に応えて、素晴らしいパフォーマンスを披露した。
In response to the fans’ cheers, she put on a wonderful performance.
チームは監督の信頼に応えて、見事な逆転勝利を収めた。
The team earned a splendid come-from-behind victory, living up to the coach’s trust.
会社の要望に応えて、私は新しいプロジェクトを立ち上げました。
In response to the company’s request, I launched a new project.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Sense of Duty/Fulfillment
This pattern strongly conveys that the action is taken to fulfill a duty, responsibility, or promise, or to meet a challenge. It’s not just a simple reaction but a deliberate effort to satisfy something.
Example: 彼は両親の期待に応えて、医者になった。(Kare wa ryoushin no kitai ni kotaete, isha ni natta.) – In response to his parents’ expectations, he became a doctor.
Positive Connotation
Often carries a positive nuance, implying that the response was successful or effective in meeting the expectation/demand.
Example: 厳しいトレーニングに応えて、選手たちは新記録を樹立した。(Kibishii toreeningu ni kotaete, senshu-tachi wa shinkiroku o juritsu shita.) – In response to the tough training, the athletes set a new record.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it in casual conversation.
✅ Use simpler, less formal expressions like 〜だから (dakara) or 〜によって (ni yotte) for causal relations, or simply state the action.
「に応えて」 is too formal for everyday chat. For example, instead of 「友達の誘いに応えて、パーティに行った。」(too formal), say 「友達に誘われたから、パーティに行った。」
❌ Confusing it with “answering a question” or “replying.”
✅ For answering a question, use 「質問に答える」 (shitsumon ni kotaeru). For replying to a message, use 「返事をする」 (henji o suru).
While 応える (kotaeru) can mean “to answer,” the grammar pattern に応えて specifically refers to “responding to a request, expectation, or demand by *taking action*,” not just giving a verbal reply.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High, indicates respect and dedication to fulfilling responsibilities.
Social Situations: Emphasizes the importance of living up to promises, expectations, or collective needs, reflecting a strong sense of duty and group harmony in Japanese culture.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese, no significant regional variations.
🔍 Subtle Differences
に応えて (ni kotaete) vs. 〜に応じて (ni ōjite)
に応えて means “in response to” or “to meet/fulfill (a request/expectation).” It implies a deliberate action taken *because* of a specific demand or hope. 〜に応じて means “in accordance with,” “depending on,” or “corresponding to.” It suggests adjusting one’s actions or state to match a situation, rule, or change.
When to use: Use に応えて when there’s an expectation, request, or demand that you are actively fulfilling. Use 〜に応じて when you are adapting or acting based on a situation or condition.
に応えて (ni kotaete) vs. 〜に対して (ni taishite)
に応えて specifies an action taken *to satisfy or fulfill* something. 〜に対して is broader, meaning “towards,” “for,” “regarding,” or “in contrast to.” It can indicate an action directed at someone/something, but doesn’t necessarily imply fulfilling a request or expectation.
When to use: Use に応えて for active fulfillment of expectations/demands. Use 〜に対して for general actions or attitudes directed towards something, or for comparison.
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When to use: undefined
📝 Conjugation Notes
It is formed by connecting a noun (or a noun clause) directly to に応えて. It functions like a set phrase.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The pronunciation is “ni ko-ta-e-te.” Pay attention to the clear pronunciation of each syllable.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「応える」(kotaeru) as “to answer a call/challenge/expectation” and 「に」 as “to/for.” So, you are “answering *to* the expectations.” Visualize someone rising to an occasion.
Vocabulary List
期待
kitai
expectation, hope
要請
yousei
request, demand
国民
kokumin
nation, citizen
発表する
happyou suru
to announce, to present
顧客
kokyaku
customer, client
開発する
kaihatsu suru
to develop
声援
cheer, encouragement
Kanji List
応
オウ, こた(える)
respond, answer, accept
望
ボウ, モウ, のぞ(む)
desire, hope, expect
期
キ, ゴ
period, time, expectation
請
セイ, シン, こ(う)
request, invite, ask
国
コク, くに
country, nation
民
ミン, たみ
people, nation
発
ハツ, ホツ
departure, discharge, emit
表
ヒョウ, おもて, あらわ(す)
surface, express, external
顧
コ, かえり(みる)
look back, review, customer
客
キャク, カク
guest, customer
開
カイ, ひら(く), あ(ける)
open, unfold
Practice Exercises
彼はチームの＿＿＿、厳しい練習に耐えた。
期待に応えて
期待に応じて
期待に頼って
期待に従って
お客様の＿＿＿、新サービスを導入いたしました。
ご要望に応えて
ご要望に応じて
ご要望に対して
ご要望をめぐって
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