応答

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 応答 is read as おうとう and is a noun and する verb for responding to a call, question, or signal.
• Basic usage: The absence of a reply appears in 応答がない, while responding to a question appears in 質問に応答する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Target marker に
  • In 質問に応答する, に marks what someone responds to.
• Difference from 返事
  • 返事 is an everyday answer to a person's call or words, while 応答 more formally describes a response to a question, communication, or signal.