手応(てごた)え

てごたえ
noun
response; feedback; resistance; sense of accomplishment
cognition
1. response; feedback; resistance felt when doing something
The physical or metaphorical sensation of response or resistance when interacting with something.
ドアをノックしたが手応(てごた)えがなかった。
I knocked on the door but got no response.
魚(さかな)が釣(つ)れた手応(てごた)えを感(かん)じた。
I felt the pull of a fish biting.
バットにボールが当(あ)たった手応(てごた)えがあった。
I felt the solid contact of the ball hitting the bat.
2. sense of accomplishment; feeling that something was worthwhile
The satisfying feeling that one's efforts have produced a result or made an impact.
今回(こんかい)の面接(めんせつ)は手応(てごた)えがあった。
I felt like the interview went well this time.
手応(てごた)えのある仕事(しごと)がしたい。
I want to do work that feels rewarding.
新(あたら)しい教(おし)え方(かた)を試(ため)したら手応(てごた)えがあったので、これからも続(つづ)けていこうと思(おも)う。
When I tried the new teaching method I got a positive response, so I plan to keep using it.

手応(てごた)え combines 手(て) (hand) and 応(こた)え (response): the resistance or reaction you feel through your hands, and figuratively the sense that your effort registered.

Common expressions

  • 手応(てごた)えがある (to feel a response, to get a positive reaction)
  • 手応(てごた)えがない (no response, nothing came back)
  • 手応(てごた)えを感(かん)じる (to feel a response)
  • 手応(てごた)えのある (rewarding, satisfyingly demanding)

Usage

After an interview, an exam, or a negotiation, 手応(てごた)えがあった means it went well — you sensed the other side responding. The physical sense (a fish on the line, a bat meeting the ball) is still live alongside it.

RELATED 〜応(ごた)え WORDS:

Related Words

Related: 歯応(はごた)え (chewiness, bite)
Related: 読(よ)み応(ごた)え (worth reading, a substantial read)
Related: 見応(みごた)え (worth seeing, visually impressive)
Related: 聞(き)き応(ごた)え (worth listening to)
general
Added 2026.1.18 12:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06500/06635_tegotae