die Antwort
answer
An oral or written reaction to a question, request, or letter.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mir sofort eine Antwort auf meine E-Mail geschickt.
He immediately sent me an answer to my email.
die Antwort
answer
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Meanings
die Antwort
answer
A solution to a problem or difficult situation.
EXAMPLE
Auf diese komplexe politische Frage gibt es keine einfache Antwort.
There is no simple answer to this complex political question.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of 'Ant-' and 'Wort' (word). The old prefix 'Ant-' means 'against' or 'in response to.' So an answer is literally a 'counter-word' to a question.
EXAMPLE
Auf seine Frage erhielt er ein klares Wort als Antwort.
He received a clear word as an answer to his question.
Correct preposition
'Antwort' is almost always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. You give an answer to a question, to a letter, or to a problem.
EXAMPLE
Ich warte immer noch auf eine Antwort auf meine Bewerbung.
I am still waiting for an answer to my application.
Word family
The noun 'die Antwort' (the answer) and the verb 'antworten' (to answer) belong together. The verb also uses the same structure: you answer something with 'auf' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Bitte antworten Sie so schnell wie möglich auf diese E-Mail.
Please answer this email as quickly as possible.
Typical verbs
Common verbs combined with 'Antwort' in this meaning are 'eine Antwort geben' (to give an answer), 'bekommen' (to get), 'erwarten' (to expect), or 'auf eine Antwort warten' (to wait for an answer).
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir bitte eine schnelle Antwort geben?
Could you please give me a quick answer?
Context clue
In the meaning 'Lösung' (solution), 'Antwort' often appears in connection with abstract nouns such as 'Problem' (problem), 'Herausforderung' (challenge), or 'Krise' (crisis).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen eine Antwort auf die ökologischen Herausforderungen unserer Zeit finden.
We need to find an answer to the ecological challenges of our time.
Compare with
Antwort vs Lösung
solution
Antwort and Lösung can both refer to dealing with a problem. Antwort is more often the stated result of a question, while Lösung can also mean the way or method used to deal with the problem. Antwort fits a brief piece of information, while Lösung is more suitable for a procedure to fix something.
Antwort
Auf die Frage nach dem Fehler gab der Techniker eine klare Antwort.
When asked about the error, the technician gave a clear answer.
Lösung
Für den Fehler fand der Techniker eine einfache Lösung.
The technician found a simple solution to the error.
In real life
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