Japanese symbol for “answer”
答え
こたえ
Romaji: kotae
answer; reply; response
In Japanese, answer is 答え, read こたえ (kotae).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n answer; reply; response
- n answer; solution; result
Written forms: 答え、答、応え、報え. Readings: こたえ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “answer”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 解答 | かいとう kaitou | answer; solution |
| 答える | こたえる kotaeru | to answer; to reply |
| 回答 | かいとう kaitou | reply; answer |
| 返事 | へんじ henji | reply; answer; response |
| 返信 | へんしん henshin | reply (e.g. email, fax, letter); answer |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 回答 | かいとう kaitou | reply; answer |
| 答弁 | とうべん touben | response; reply; answer |
| 応答 | おうとう outou | reply; answer; response |
| 解答 | かいとう kaitou | answer; solution |
| 返答 | へんとう hentou | reply; answer |
See also: Chinese symbol for “answer”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.