Definitions
(verb)
to answer; to reply; to respond
(verb)
to agree
Etymology
Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 合 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "small bean". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
About
The character "答" derives from an early form combining the bamboo radical with the component "合", a structure suggesting both phonetic clues and semantic associations with bamboo slips used for written records and the idea of joining or correspondence. Etymologically, this construction points to its original meaning of providing a matched verbal or written reply, a sense that has remained central throughout its use. While its graphical form has experienced only minor stylistic modifications over time, the character's semantic scope has extended somewhat to include related concepts of reciprocation and acknowledgment, yet without losing its fundamental connection to the act of answering.
Example Sentences Hide
请你回答我。
老师回答了学生的问题。
我不知道答案。
他答应明天来。
我们需要准备答辩。
在会议上，他详细回答了所有提问。
对于这个复杂的问题，他给出了令人满意的答案。
尽管时间紧迫，他还是耐心地回答了每一个观众的疑问。