(おう)じる

おうじる
verb (ichidan)
to respond, to comply, to adapt
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.
記者(きしゃ)取材(しゅざい)(おう)じた。
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.
期待(きたい)(おう)じることができなかった。
I was unable to meet expectations.
3. to adapt to, according to
To adjust based on circumstances.
状況(じょうきょう)(おう)じて対応(たいおう)する。
To respond according to the situation.
年齢(ねんれい)(おう)じた運動(うんどう)をする。
To do exercise appropriate to one's age.
必要(ひつよう)(おう)じて変更(へんこう)する。
To make changes as needed.

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

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.