答(こた)え

こたえ
noun
answer, reply
1. answer, solution
The correct response to a question or problem. Used in academic contexts for test answers and solutions.
答(こた)えを教(おし)えてください。
Please tell me the answer.
この問題(もんだい)の答(こた)えは何(なん)ですか。
What is the answer to this problem?
答(こた)えがわかりません。
I don't know the answer.
答(こた)えは三(さん)です。
The answer is three.
正(ただ)しい答(こた)えを選(えら)んでください。
Please choose the correct answer.
答(こた)えを出(だ)すのに時間(じかん)がかかった。
It took time to come up with an answer.
2. reply, response
A response to a question or inquiry in general conversation.
先生(せんせい)の質問(しつもん)に答(こた)えを言(い)った。
I gave an answer to the teacher's question.
彼(かれ)からの答(こた)えを待(ま)っています。
I'm waiting for his reply.
まだ答(こた)えが来(き)ていません。
I haven't received a reply yet.
答(こた)えは「はい」か「いいえ」でお願(ねが)いします。
Please answer with 'yes' or 'no'.

答(こた)え is the noun form of 答(こた)える (to answer). Covers both academic solutions and conversational responses.

RELATED VERB:
答(こた)える: to answer, to respond

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 答(こた)えを出(だ)す: to come up with an answer
  • 答(こた)えが出(で)る: an answer emerges
  • 正(ただ)しい答(こた)え: correct answer

ON'YOMI COMPOUNDS:

  • 正答(せいとう): correct answer
  • 返答(へんとう): reply (to letter/message)
  • 解答(かいとう): solution (to problem)
  • 回答(かいとう): response (to survey/question)

NOTE: 回答(かいとう) is more formal; 答(こた)え is general.

basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:43 · Revised 2026.2.19 9:49
00500/00790_kotae