Readings: トウ (Onyomi), こた(える), こた(え) (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Answer, reply, respond
The kanji 答 is a phono-semantic compound. It combines 竹 (bamboo) indicating bamboo slips or written records, and 合 (to fit, join) indicating the sound. Historically, it relates to “responding” or “answering,” often in a written context.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 答 has 12 strokes. It starts with the bamboo radical (竹) at the top, followed by the lower component (合). Remember to write the two vertical strokes of 竹 from top to bottom, then the two horizontal strokes. For 合, write the top horizontal stroke, then the two vertical strokes, followed by the middle horizontal, and finally the bottom horizontal.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 竹 (たけかんむり) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | Grade 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- トウ (TŌ)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- こたえる (kotaeru)
- こたえ (kotae)
Common Words Using 答
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 回答 | かいとう | answer, reply |
| 解答 | かいとう | solution, answer (to a problem) |
| 返答 | へんとう | reply, answer |
| 応答 | おうとう | response, reply |
| 正答 | せいとう | correct answer |
| 誤答 | ごとう | incorrect answer |
| 筆答 | ひっとう | written answer |
| 口答 | こうとう | oral answer |
| 問答 | もんどう | questions and answers, dialogue |
| 問答無用 | もんどうむよう | no questions asked, beyond question |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 答える | こたえる | to answer, to reply |
| 答え | こたえ | answer, response |
| 問いに答える | といにこたえる | to answer a question |
| 質問に答える | しつもんにこたえる | to answer a question |
| 期待に答える | きたいにこたえる | to live up to expectations |
| 電話に答える | でんわにこたえる | to answer the phone |
| 呼びかけに答える | よびかけにこたえる | to respond to a call |
| 声に答える | こえにこたえる | to respond to a voice |
| 彼の答え | かれのこたえ | his answer |
| 最終の答え | さいしゅうのこたえ | final answer |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 先生の質問に答える。
Kana: せんせいのしつもんにこたえる。
Romaji: Sensei no shitsumon ni kotaeru.
English: I answer the teacher’s question.
Japanese: 正しい答えを書きなさい。
Kana: ただしいこたえをかきなさい。
Romaji: Tadashii kotae o kakinasai.
English: Write the correct answer.
Japanese: 電話に誰も答えない。
Kana: でんわにだれもこたえない。
Romaji: Denwa ni dare mo kotaenai.
English: Nobody answers the phone.
Japanese: 彼の返答はとても丁寧だった。
Kana: かれのへんとうはとてもていねいだった。
Romaji: Kare no hentō wa totemo teinei datta.
English: His reply was very polite.
Japanese: この問題の解答は難しい。
Kana: このもんだいのかいとうはむずかしい。
Romaji: Kono mondai no kaitō wa muzukashii.
English: The solution to this problem is difficult.
Japanese: 試験の答え合わせをしましょう。
Kana: しけんのこたえあわせをしましょう。
Romaji: Shiken no kotaeawase o shimashō.
English: Let’s check the answers for the exam.
Japanese: 質問にはっきり答えてください。
Kana: しつもんにはっきりこたえてください。
Romaji: Shitsumon ni hakkiri kotaete kudasai.
English: Please answer the question clearly.
Japanese: メールへの返答がまだ来ていません。
Kana: めーるへのへんとうがまだきていません。
Romaji: Mēru e no hentō ga mada kite imasen.
English: The reply to the email has not arrived yet.
Japanese: 彼は期待に答えてくれた。
Kana: かれはきたいにこたえてくれた。
Romaji: Kare wa kitai ni kotaete kureta.
English: He lived up to my expectations.
Japanese: あなたの答えを聞かせてください。
Kana: あなたのこたえをきかせてください。
Romaji: Anata no kotae o kikasete kudasai.
English: Please let me hear your answer.
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