antworten
to answer
To give an oral or written response to a question, a message, or a statement.
EXAMPLE
Bitte antworten Sie auf meine E-Mail bis spätestens morgen.
Please answer my email by tomorrow at the latest.
antworten
to answer / respond
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Meanings
antworten
to respond
To react to an action, event, or stimulus. This meaning is somewhat more figurative than a direct answer to a question.
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft antwortete auf den Gegentreffer sofort mit einem eigenen Tor.
The team immediately responded to the goal they conceded with a goal of their own.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'antworten' (to answer) belongs to the noun 'die Antwort' (the answer). The prefix 'ant-' originally means 'against' or 'in response to.' So an answer is literally a kind of 'counter-word' to a question.
EXAMPLE
Auf meine Frage bekam ich eine klare Antwort.
I got a clear answer to my question.
Common mistake
'Antworten' (to answer) always needs the preposition 'auf' with the accusative when you say what someone is answering. A direct accusative is wrong. Don't say: 'Ich antworte die E-Mail.'
EXAMPLE
Er hat immer noch nicht auf meine Nachricht geantwortet.
He still hasn't answered my message.
Dative construction
The person you answer is in the dative. You can combine both constructions: 'jemandem (Dativ) auf etwas (Akkusativ) antworten' (to answer someone about something).
EXAMPLE
Könntest du mir bitte auf meine Frage antworten?
Could you please answer my question?
Figurative meaning
In the meaning 'reagieren' (to react/respond), 'antworten' is also used with 'auf + Akkusativ.' The context makes it clear that this is not a verbal answer, but a reaction to an action.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma antwortete auf die Kritik mit einer öffentlichen Entschuldigung.
The company responded to the criticism with a public apology.
Compare with
antworten vs beantworten
to answer
Both words refer to a spoken or written answer to a question or message. „Beantworten“ takes the question or message directly as an accusative object, while „antworten“ is generally used with „auf“ or with a person in the dative. The meaning is similar, but the sentence structure determines the phrasing.
antworten
Ich antworte dir auf deine Frage nach dem Termin heute noch.
I’ll respond to you about your question regarding the appointment later today.
beantworten
Ich beantworte deine Frage nach dem Termin heute noch.
I’ll answer your question about the appointment later today.
In real life
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