109
答
Answer
こた(え) (kotae), こた(える) (kotaeru)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
If you asked a Zen master, "What is enlightenment?" you probably wouldn't get a simple explanation. Instead, you might hear a clap, a laugh, or even another question. These puzzling responses, called kōan, are to make students discover the truth for themselves. In Zen tradition, the best answers are not always spoken—it is the one you realized on your own.
Memory Trick
Bamboo Radical: ⺮ Kanji 合 = To fit or Match One liner: Fit two Bamboo to find right answers.
Readings
Onyomi: トウ (tou)
Kunyomi: こた(え) (kotae), こた(える) (kotaeru)
Example Words
答え
こたえ (kotae)
Answer
回答
かいとう (kaitou)
Reply, answer
応答
おうとう (outou)
Response
返答
へんとう (hentou)
Reply
Example Sentence
答えが わかりました。
こたえが わかりました。
kotae ga wakarimashita
I understood the answer.