01
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
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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 Frage
question
'die Frage' and 'die Antwort' belong directly together, but they are on two different sides. With a question, you ask for information or show that something is still open. An answer responds to it and gives the information or a solution. They can be confused because both often occur in the same conversation. Remember: the question comes first and leaves something open; the answer comes afterward and clarifies something.
Antwort
Die Chefin hat auf meine E-Mail schnell eine Antwort geschickt.
The boss quickly sent an answer to my email.
Frage
Ali stellt in der Pause eine Frage zum neuen Stundenplan.
During the break, Ali asks a question about the new timetable.
In real life
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