Japanese word

反応

Pronunciation

Romajihannō

Meaning

  • nounreaction

Example

犬は音に反応します。inu wa oto ni han nō shi ma su

The dog reacts to sounds.

Illustration for 反応 (reaction)

More examples

友だちの反応を見ました。tomo da chi no han nō o mi ma shi ta

I saw my friend's reaction.

観客の反応を見て、話し方を変えました。kan kyaku no han nō o mi te hana shi kata o ka e ma shi ta

I changed the way I spoke after seeing the audience's reaction.

Core concept

Describes a change in feeling or behavior caused by something that happens or is perceived.

Common phrases

  • 反応がないhan nō ga na i

    have no reaction

  • 反応を予想するhan nō o yo sō su ru

    predict the reaction

  • 反応を引き起こすhan nō o hi ki o ko su

    cause a reaction

Similar words

応答ōtō: A reply or action given to a question, message, or signal.
反射hansha: An automatic physical or mental action caused by a stimulus.
反響hankyō: A public reaction that shows how people receive an event, work, or idea.

Definition in Japanese

外部からの刺激や影響を受けたときに現れる変化や、その応じ方。gai bu ka ra no shi geki ya ei kyō o u ke ta to ki ni arawa re ru hen ka ya so no ō ji kata

Word origin

反応 (hannō) combines 反 (han, "against") and 応 (ō, "answer or respond"), expressing an answering change caused by an outside stimulus.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, reaction often suggests an immediate feeling or action, while response can also suggest a more considered reply.

Other meanings

  • responsenoun

Related words

  • 反応するhannōsururespondverb
  • 反応性hannōseireactivitynoun

Word lists with this word