返答(へんとう)に困(こま)る

へんとうにこまる
expression
to be at a loss for an answer; to not know what to say
communication
1. to be at a loss for an answer; to be stumped; to not know how to respond
The state of being unable to come up with an appropriate reply, either because the question is difficult, the situation is awkward, or one does not want to give a direct answer.
返答(へんとう)に困(こま)って黙(だま)ってしまった。
I was at a loss for words and fell silent.
急(きゅう)にそんなことを聞(き)かれても返答(へんとう)に困(こま)る。
Even if you suddenly ask me something like that, I don't know what to say.
上司(じょうし)から転勤(てんきん)の話(はなし)を持(も)ちかけられ、返答(へんとう)に困(こま)った。
When my boss brought up the idea of a transfer, I didn't know how to respond.

A natural expression combining 返答(へんとう) (reply, response) with に困(こま)る (to be troubled by). It describes the uncomfortable moment of not being able to produce an appropriate answer — whether due to the difficulty of the question, social pressure, or a desire to avoid giving a direct reply.

Usage

  • Often used when someone is put on the spot or asked an awkward question
  • Can describe both genuine difficulty and diplomatic evasion

Common collocations

  • 返答(へんとう)に困(こま)って黙(だま)る: to fall silent, at a loss for words
  • 返答(へんとう)に困(こま)る質問(しつもん): a question one struggles to answer

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 口(くち)ごもる (to mumble)
general
Added 2026.4.27 22:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25500/25784_hentounikomaru