答辞(とうじ)

とうじ
noun
reply address (at a graduation ceremony)
formaleducationcommunication
1. reply address; graduate's address (at a ceremony)
A formal speech given in reply to words of farewell or welcome, above all the address read by a representative of the graduating students at a Japanese graduation ceremony in answer to the 送辞(そうじ) of the younger students.
答辞(とうじ)を読(よ)んだ。
I read the reply address.
卒業生代表(そつぎょうせいだいひょう)が答辞(とうじ)を述(の)べた。
A representative of the graduates gave the reply address.
答辞(とうじ)の途中(とちゅう)で声(こえ)が詰(つ)まり、会場(かいじょう)のあちこちから涙(なみだ)をすする音(おと)が聞(き)こえた。
Her voice caught in the middle of the reply address, and you could hear sniffling all around the hall.

Cultural note

At a Japanese school graduation ceremony (卒業式(そつぎょうしき)), a student from the year below reads the 送辞(そうじ) (farewell address), and a representative of the graduates answers with the 答辞(とうじ), thanking teachers and parents and looking back on school life. Being chosen to read it is an honor.

Common collocations

  • 答辞(とうじ)を読(よ)む: to read the reply address
  • 答辞(とうじ)を述(の)べる: to deliver the reply address
  • 卒業生代表(そつぎょうせいだいひょう)の答辞(とうじ): the graduates' representative's address

Related words

  • 送辞(そうじ): farewell address to the graduates
  • 式辞(しきじ): address given by the principal or host
general
Added 2026.10.11 21:38 · Revised 2026.10.11 21:42
31500/31889_touji