01
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
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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 fragen
to ask
'fragen' and 'antworten' belong to the same conversation situation, but they are on two different sides. Someone who asks wants to get information. Someone who answers gives a response to that question. Usually the question comes first, and then the answer. So the contrast is simple: 'fragen' opens the conversation, and 'antworten' reacts to it.
antworten
Ben antwortet seinem Freund sofort auf die Nachricht.
Ben answers his friend's message right away.
fragen
Im Garten fragt mein Vater, ob die Blumen genug Wasser haben.
In the garden, my father asks whether the flowers have enough water.
In real life
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