答える

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 答える(こたえる) is a verb for answering a question or responding when addressed.
• Basic usage: A question appears in 質問に答える with に, while giving no answer appears in 何も答えなかった.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Target of the answer
  • Mark the question, call, or other prompt being answered with に.
• Negative sentence
  • 何も combines with a negative form, so 何も答えなかった means that no answer was given.