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| 回答 [2025/08/05 01:47] – created xiaoer | 回答 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== huídá: 回答 - To Answer, To Reply, Response ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 回答, huida, how to say answer in Chinese, reply in Chinese, Chinese verb to answer, 回答 vs 答案, Chinese for response, mandarin answer, HSK 3 vocabulary | |
| * **Summary:** "回答" (huídá) is the most common and essential Chinese word for "to answer" or "to reply." Whether you're answering a teacher's question, replying to an email, or giving a response in a conversation, "回答" is the fundamental term you'll use. It functions as both a verb (the action of answering) and a noun (the response itself), making it a versatile and crucial word for any beginner learner to master for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** huídá | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To reply to a question, request, or communication; a response or an answer. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** "回答" is your go-to, all-purpose word for "answer." Think of it as a return of information. Someone sends a question your way, and you send a "回答" back. It's a neutral term that fits in almost any context, from a casual chat with friends to a more formal setting. It can mean the action of answering ("Please answer") or the answer itself ("Your answer is correct"). | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **回 (huí):** This character means "to return" or "to go back." Its original pictograph often depicted a swirl or a spiral, representing something returning to its origin. | |
| * **答 (dá):** This character means "to answer." It's composed of the bamboo radical (竹) on top and a character component (合) on the bottom. In ancient China, official documents, records, and scholarly answers were written on bamboo slips, so the bamboo radical signifies a written response. | |
| When combined, **回答 (huídá)** literally means "to return an answer." This beautifully captures the essence of a dialogue: a question is sent out, and an answer is returned. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| While "回答" is a direct functional equivalent to the English "answer," its use is shaded by Chinese cultural norms of communication. In many Western cultures, a direct and immediate answer is often valued as a sign of honesty and confidence. In China, this is also often true, especially in business or academic settings where efficiency is key. | |
| However, in more sensitive social situations, avoiding a direct "回答" can be a way to preserve harmony or "give face" (给面子, gěi miànzi). A vague or non-committal response might be given instead of a direct "no," which could be seen as too blunt. | |
| Therefore, for a learner, it's important to understand not just //how// to "回答," but also //when// a direct answer is appropriate. Not receiving a clear "回答" doesn't always mean the person is being deceptive; it might be a culturally nuanced way of navigating the conversation politely. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| "回答" is used constantly in daily life, from the classroom to the office to text messages. | |
| * **In Conversation:** It's the standard word for answering a direct question. | |
| * `老师提问，学生回答。` (lǎoshī tíwèn, xuéshēng huídá) - The teacher asks a question, the students answer. | |
| * **In Formal/Written Communication:** It is commonly used in emails and formal correspondence. A phrase like `期待您的回答` (qīdài nín de huídá - "I look forward to your reply") is a common and polite closing. | |
| * **As a Noun:** It refers to the content of the reply itself. | |
| * `我对你的回答很满意。` (wǒ duì nǐ de huídá hěn mǎnyì) - I am very satisfied with your answer. | |
| Its formality is generally neutral, making it safe to use in almost any situation. For very formal replies to official requests, the word `答复 (dáfù)` might be used instead. For quick, informal digital replies (like on WeChat), `回复 (huífù)` is also very common. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 请你**回答**我的问题。 | |
| * Pinyin: Qǐng nǐ **huídá** wǒ de wèntí. | |
| * English: Please answer my question. | |
| * Analysis: A very common and direct command or request. You'll hear this often in classrooms or formal situations. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 他的**回答**让我很惊讶。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā de **huídá** ràng wǒ hěn jīngyà. | |
| * English: His answer surprised me a lot. | |
| * Analysis: Here, "回答" is used as a noun, referring to "the answer" or "the response" that he gave. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 这个问题太难了，我不知道怎么**回答**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège wèntí tài nán le, wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme **huídá**. | |
| * English: This question is too difficult, I don't know how to answer. | |
| * Analysis: A classic phrase for when you're stumped. It shows you're unable to perform the action (the verb) of answering. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 他笑了笑，但是没有**回答**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā xiào le xiào, dànshì méiyǒu **huídá**. | |
| * English: He gave a little laugh, but didn't answer. | |
| * Analysis: This demonstrates a non-verbal response instead of a verbal "回答". The lack of an answer is the key point. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 感谢您的邮件，我们会尽快给您**回答**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Gǎnxiè nín de yóujiàn, wǒmen huì jǐnkuài gěi nín **huídá**. | |
| * English: Thank you for your email, we will give you a reply as soon as possible. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence uses "回答" as a noun ("a reply"). It's a standard, polite phrase in customer service or business correspondence. Note the structure `给您回答` (gěi nín huídá) - "give you a reply". | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 你必须诚实地**回答**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ bìxū chéngshí de **huídá**. | |
| * English: You must answer honestly. | |
| * Analysis: Shows how adverbs like `诚实地` (chéngshí de - honestly) can modify the verb "回答". | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 对于这个指控，他拒绝**回答**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Duìyú zhège zhǐkòng, tā jùjué **huídá**. | |
| * English: Regarding this accusation, he refused to answer. | |
| * Analysis: Demonstrates the collocation "refuse to answer" (`拒绝回答`). This is common in news reports or formal contexts. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 这是一个非常标准的**回答**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè shì yī ge fēicháng biāozhǔn de **huídá**. | |
| * English: This is a very standard/textbook answer. | |
| * Analysis: Using "回答" as a noun, this describes the nature of the response itself. A "standard answer" might be one that is correct but lacks creativity. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 我等了很久，也没有收到他的**回答**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ děng le hěn jiǔ, yě méiyǒu shōudào tā de **huídá**. | |
| * English: I waited for a long time but didn't receive his reply. | |
| * Analysis: This highlights "回答" as a noun in the context of communication, specifically not receiving it. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 你可以用“是”或“不是”来**回答**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ yòng “shì” huò “búshì” lái **huídá**. | |
| * English: You can answer with "yes" or "no". | |
| * Analysis: This explains the //method// of answering, showing the flexibility of the verb "回答". | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| A crucial mistake for learners is confusing **回答 (huídá)** with **答案 (dá'àn)**. They both relate to "answers," but are not interchangeable. | |
| * **回答 (huídá):** The **action** of replying, or the **response/reply** given by a person. It can be subjective, an opinion, or a simple reply. | |
| * **答案 (dá'àn):** The **correct solution** or the "answer key" answer. It's used for objective questions like math problems, test questions, riddles, or puzzles. It implies there is one correct, definitive answer. | |
| **Common Mistake Example:** | |
| * **Incorrect:** `老师，这个数学题的**回答**是什么？` (Lǎoshī, zhège shùxué tí de **huídá** shì shénme?) | |
| * **Why it's wrong:** A math problem has a single correct solution, not a subjective reply. You are asking for the "solution," not a "response." | |
| * **Correct:** `老师，这个数学题的**答案**是什么？` (Lǎoshī, zhège shùxué tí de **dá'àn** shì shénme?) | |
| **Rule of Thumb:** If you're answering a person, you **回答**. If you're looking for the correct solution to a problem, you're looking for the **答案**. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[答案]] (dá'àn) - The correct solution or "answer key" answer to a problem or test. This is the **result**, whereas `回答` is the **action** or the given response. | |
| * [[答复]] (dáfù) - A more formal reply, typically in response to a request, application, or official inquiry. It carries more weight than `回答`. | |
| * [[回复]] (huífù) - To reply. Very similar to `回答`, but used more frequently for digital communication like replying to an email, text message, or social media comment. | |
| * [[问题]] (wèntí) - Question; problem. This is the stimulus that prompts a `回答`. | |
| * [[提问]] (tíwèn) - To raise a question; to ask a question. This is the action that a `回答` responds to. | |
| * [[解答]] (jiědá) - To answer and explain. This term implies not just giving an answer, but also providing the detailed explanation or solution process, especially for complex problems. | |
| * [[响应]] (xiǎngyìng) - To respond or react. This is broader and can refer to a response to a call to action, a government policy, or a signal, not just a verbal question. | |