応

音読おんよみ: オウ

訓読くんよみ: こたえる

画数かくすう: 7

部首ぶしゅ: 心（こころ）

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.

  • 応答おうとう — response; reply
  • 応援おうえん — support; cheering
  • 対応たいおう — handling; dealing with
  • 反応はんのう — reaction
  • 応用おうよう — application; practical use
  • 応募おうぼ — application (job; contest)
  • 呼応こおう — act in concert; echo

応 is a 形声文字けいせいもじ (phono-semantic compound) with 心こころ “heart/spirit,” evoking a reply or reaction arising from within. It appears in contexts of response, adaptation, support, and application.

彼かれは 周囲しゅういの 期待きたいに 応こたえた。
He lived up to everyone’s expectations.

その会社かいしゃは 新製品しんせいひんを 市場しじょうの 需要じゅように 応おうじて 開発かいはつしました。
The company developed a new product in response to market demand.

援
Creates
応援おうえん — support; cheering
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