1.
response, dealing with
The way something or someone is dealt with or handled.
2.
correspondence, compatibility
A matching or compatible relationship between things.
対応 has two main uses: responding to or dealing with a situation (sense 1), and compatibility or correspondence between things (sense 2). It functions as both a noun and a する verb.
SENSE 1 PATTERNS (response):
- ~に対応する: to deal with ~, to respond to ~
- 対応が早い/遅い: quick/slow response
- 対応が良い/悪い: good/poor handling
- 緊急対応: emergency response
SENSE 2 PATTERNS (compatibility):
- ~に対応している: to be compatible with ~, to support ~
- 対応可能: compatible, supported
- 対応機種: supported devices
USAGE:
Sense 2 is especially common in technology contexts: ソフトがMacに対応している (the software supports Mac). Sense 1 is common in customer service and business: 苦情に対応する (to handle a complaint).