Japanese word

答弁

Pronunciation

Romajitōben

Meaning

  • nounanswer

Example

大臣が国会で質問に答弁します。dai jin ga kok kai de shitsu mon ni tō ben shi ma su

The minister answers questions in the Diet.

Illustration for 答弁 (answer)

More examples

議員は大臣の答弁を議事録で確認しました。gi in wa dai jin no tō ben o gi ji roku de kaku nin shi ma shi ta

The lawmaker checked the minister's answer in the minutes.

Core concept

Describes a formal response that addresses a question and may also justify the speaker's position.

Common phrases

  • 答弁を求めるtō ben o moto me ru

    request an official answer

  • 答弁を行うtō ben o okona u

    give an official answer

Similar words

回答kaitō: An answer given to a question, request, or inquiry.
返答hentō: A reply made in response to what another person has said or asked.
応答ōtō: A response to a question, request, or signal, often in an official or technical setting.

Definition in Japanese

国会や公の場で、質問や批判に対して述べる正式な回答や釈明。kok kai ya ōyake no ba de shitsu mon ya hi han ni tai shi te no be ru sei shiki na kai tō ya shaku mei

Word origin

答弁 (tōben) combines 答 (tō, "answer") and 弁 (ben, "speech") to mean an answer expressed in a formal statement.

Usage tips

  • Because 答弁 (tōben) belongs to formal public discourse, using it for a casual answer can sound deliberately stiff or ironic.

Other meanings

  • defensenoun

Related words

  • 答弁するtōbensuruanswer officiallyverb
  • 答弁者tōbensharespondentnoun

Word lists with this word