音読み: オウ
訓読み: こたえる
画数: 7
部首: こころ（心）
Meaning
Respond / Answer / React
- Basic forms
- 応える — to respond; to answer; to meet (expectations) / base form
- 応えます — respond; answer / masu form
- 応えた — responded; answered / ta form
- 応えて — respond and … / te form
- 応えない — do not respond / negative
- 応えれば — if (one) responds / conditional
- Common expressions
- 期待に応える — live up to expectations
- 声に応える — respond to a call
- 要望に応える — meet a request
- More
- 応えられる — can respond; can meet / potential
応える（こたえる） is an ichidan verb. It is used both for giving an answer and for meeting expectations, requests, or trust, often implying a meaningful or appropriate response rather than a simple reply.
- 応答 — response; reply
- 応援 — support; cheering
- 対応 — handling; dealing with
- 反応 — reaction
- 応用 — application; practical use
- 応募 — application (job; contest)
- 呼応 — act in concert; echo
応 is a 形声文字 (phono-semantic compound) with 心 “heart/spirit,” evoking a reply or reaction arising from within. It appears in contexts of response, adaptation, support, and application.