Japanese word

返事

Pronunciation

Romajihenji

Meaning

  • nounreply

Example

メールに返事をします。mē ru ni hen ji o shi ma su

I reply to the email.

Illustration for 返事 (reply)

More examples

友達からのメッセージに返事をしました。tomo dachi ka ra no me ssē ji ni hen ji o shi ma shi ta

I replied to my friend's message.

Core concept

Centers on returning a clear acknowledgment or answer after another person communicates.

Common phrases

  • 返事をするhen ji o su ru

    reply

  • 返事が来るhen ji ga ku ru

    get a reply

  • 返事を待つhen ji o ma tsu

    wait for a reply

Similar words

返信henshin: A reply sent back to a written message, email, or letter.
返答hentō: An answer given to a question or request.
応答ōtō: A response made to a call, question, or signal, often in a formal setting.

Definition in Japanese

人からの問いや働きかけに対して、言葉や文章で応じること。また、その内容。hito ka ra no to i ya hatara ki ka ke ni tai shi te koto ba ya bun shō de ō ji ru ko to ma ta so no nai yō

Word origin

As a Sino-Japanese compound, 返事 (henji) combines 返 (hen, "return") and 事 (ji, "matter") to name what is returned in response to another person's words.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 返事がない (henji ga nai) describes a situation where no reply arrives, including when a message remains unanswered.

Other meanings

  • answernoun
  • responsenoun

Related words

  • 返事するhenjisurureplyverb

Word lists with this word