to answer
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to answer
To give an oral or written answer to a question, a letter, an email, or an official inquiry.
Der Professor konnte die Frage des Studenten sofort beantworten.
The professor was able to answer the student's question immediately.
'Beantworten' (to answer) is always a transitive verb and requires a direct object in the accusative. You answer *something*. The preposition 'auf', which is used with the verb 'antworten' ('auf eine Frage antworten' — to answer a question), is not used with 'beantworten'.
Bitte beantworten Sie meine E-Mail so schnell wie möglich.
Please answer my email as soon as possible.
The prefix 'be-' makes this verb inseparable. This means that the prefix remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms, including in the past participle ('beantwortet' — answered).
Sie hat die Frage leider nicht beantwortet.
Unfortunately, she did not answer the question.
In its main meaning, 'beantworten' (to answer) is combined with objects from the field of communication. Typical phrases are 'eine Frage beantworten' (to answer a question), 'einen Brief beantworten' (to answer a letter), 'eine E-Mail beantworten' (to answer an email), or 'eine Anfrage beantworten' (to answer an inquiry).
Ich muss noch einige wichtige Kundenanfragen beantworten.
I still have to answer several important customer inquiries.
Besides questions, 'beantworten' (to answer/return) can also describe a reaction to a social signal. If the object is a gesture or feeling such as 'ein Lächeln' (a smile), 'ein Blick' (a look), 'ein Gruß' (a greeting), or 'Liebe' (love), it means to return or reciprocate that action.
Er beantwortete ihren fragenden Blick mit einem leichten Kopfnicken.
He returned her questioning look with a slight nod.
to solve / loosen
'lösen' and 'beantworten' can both appear in school, with assignments, or with questions. You use 'lösen' when you find the solution to a problem, a puzzle, or a task. You use 'beantworten' when you give an answer to a question, an email, or an inquiry. Learners often confuse the words because assignments sometimes contain questions. As a guide: you solve a task or a problem, and you answer a question.
Im Büro hat Mehmet alle E-Mails vor der Pause beantwortet.
At the office, Mehmet answered all the emails before the break.
Frau Hofmann hat die schwierige Aufgabe beim Termin schnell gelöst.
Ms. Hofmann quickly solved the difficult task during the appointment.