(おう)じる

おうじる
verb (ichidan)
to respond, to comply, to adapt
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present(おう)じる(おう)じない
Present polite(おう)じます(おう)じません
Past(おう)じた(おう)じなかった
Past polite(おう)じました(おう)じませんでした
て form(おう)じて(おう)じなくて
ている present(おう)じている(おう)じていない
ている polite(おう)じています(おう)じていません
ている past(おう)じていた(おう)じていなかった
ている past polite(おう)じていました(おう)じていませんでした
Conditional ば(おう)じれば(おう)じなければ
Conditional たら(おう)じたら(おう)じなかったら
Volitional(おう)じよう
Volitional polite(おう)じましょう
Potential(おう)じられる(おう)じられない
Passive(おう)じられる(おう)じられない
Causative(おう)じさせる(おう)じさせない
Imperative(おう)じろ(おう)じるな
1. to respond, to answer
To react or reply to something.
電話(でんわ)(おう)じる。
To answer the phone.
質問(しつもん)(おう)じた。
I responded to the question.
I responded to the reporter's interview request.
2. to comply with, to meet
To act in accordance with a request or demand.
要求(ようきゅう)(おう)じる。
To comply with a demand.
招待(しょうたい)(おう)じた。
I accepted the invitation.
I was unable to meet expectations.
3. to adapt to, according to
To adjust based on circumstances.
To respond according to the situation.
To do exercise appropriate to one's age.
To make changes as needed.

(おう)じる means to respond, comply, or adapt. An ichidan verb often used in formal contexts.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)
  • No standard transitive pair
  • Pattern: (おう)じる

KEY PATTERNS:

  • 〜に(おう)じる: to respond to ~, to comply with ~
  • 〜に(おう)じて: according to ~, depending on ~

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 要求(ようきゅう)(おう)じる: to meet demands
  • 期待(きたい)(おう)じる: to meet expectations
  • 招待(しょうたい)(おう)じる: to accept an invitation
  • 状況(じょうきょう)(おう)じて: according to the situation

VARIANT:
(おう)ずる is the classical form, still used in formal/written Japanese.

REGISTER:
More formal than (こた)える (to answer). Often used in business and official contexts.