German word

antworten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈantvɔɐ̯tn̩/

Meaning

  • verbanswer

Example

Er antwortet mir sofort.

He answers me right away.

Illustration for antworten (answer)

More examples

Er antwortet schnell auf Fragen.

He answers questions quickly.

Core concept

Words or a message return to an earlier contribution as a direct and suitable reply.

Common phrases

  • auf eine Frage antworten

    answer a question

  • jemandem antworten

    reply to someone

  • kurz antworten

    answer briefly

Similar words

beantworten: To answer a question or letter in a way that addresses its content.

Definition in German

antworten heißt, auf eine Frage, eine Bemerkung oder eine Nachricht mit einer passenden Erwiderung zu reagieren.

Word origin

Antworten developed from the German noun Antwort, whose Old High German predecessor was antwurt.

Usage tips

  • Antworten is normally intransitive, while beantworten takes a direct object, as in eine Frage beantworten; auf eine Frage antworten is also standard.

Other meanings

  • replyverb
  • respondverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word