1. to say or write something as a reply to a question
(對問題)回答,答覆
Please answer the question.
請回答這個問題。
She answered quickly.
她很快就回答了。
I can't answer that.
我無法回答那個問題。
「answer」作為動詞,主要表示對問題、請求或情況做出回應或解決。
回應問題
EN: to say or write something in response to a question
翻譯: 對問題說出或寫出回應。
接聽回應
EN: to pick up or respond to a phone call, doorbell, etc.
翻譯: 接聽電話、應門等。
符合要求
EN: to be suitable or satisfactory for a purpose or need
翻譯: 符合某種目的或需求。
承擔責任
EN: to be responsible or accountable for something
翻譯: 對某事負責或承擔後果。
小提醒:注意「answer to」的用法,它除了表示「向...回答」,在「answer to the description」(符合描述)或「answer to someone」(向某人負責)等片語中意思不同。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Answer" from YouTube Videos
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Stanford
“And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”
1. to say or write something as a reply to a question
(對問題)回答,答覆
Please answer the question.
請回答這個問題。
She answered quickly.
她很快就回答了。
I can't answer that.
我無法回答那個問題。
2. to pick up or respond to a phone call, doorbell, etc.
接(電話、門鈴等)
Can you answer the phone?
你可以接一下電話嗎?
Someone is at the door. Could you answer it?
有人在門口,你可以去應門嗎?
He didn't answer his phone all day.
他一整天都沒接電話。
3. to be suitable for a particular purpose or need
符合,滿足(目的或需求)
This tool answers our needs perfectly.
這個工具完美地符合我們的需求。
The new software answers the problem of data loss.
新軟體解決了資料遺失的問題。
4. to be responsible or accountable for something
對…負責,承擔(責任)
You will have to answer for your actions.
你必須為你的行為負責。
The manager must answer to the board for the company's performance.
經理必須就公司的表現向董事會負責。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| answer + noun (question/query/letter) | 回答(問題、詢問、信件) | Please answer my question. (請回答我的問題。) |
| answer + pronoun (me/him/them) | 回答(某人) | She didn't answer him. (她沒有回答他。) |
| answer + that clause | 回答說… | He answered that he was not available. (他回答說他沒空。) |
| answer + "yes" or "no" | 回答「是」或「不是」 | Just answer yes or no. (只要回答是或不是。) |
| answer + adverb (quickly/truthfully) | (以某種方式)回答 | She answered truthfully. (她誠實地回答了。) |
| answer + preposition "to" + noun | 對…作出回應 | You must answer to the allegations. (你必須對這些指控作出回應。) |
| answer + the phone/door | 接電話/應門 | Can you answer the phone? (你可以接一下電話嗎?) |
| answer + for + noun (actions/mistakes) | 為…負責 | He will have to answer for his mistakes. (他將必須為自己的錯誤負責。) |
EN:She answered that she was not interested.
翻譯:她回答說她沒興趣。
EN:Someone must answer for this terrible mistake.
翻譯:必須有人為這個嚴重的錯誤負責。
一般情況下,直接使用「answer + 受詞」最為常見;需區分「向誰負責」用 answer to,「為何事負責」用 answer for。
answer vs reply
「answer」通常指對問題、詢問或挑戰的正式回應,而「reply」則泛指對任何訊息、信件或言論的回覆,範圍較廣。
answer vs respond
「answer」是較直接、具體的回應,而「respond」則較正式,且常指對某種情況、刺激或請求做出反應或回饋。
answer vs solve
「answer」側重於「回答」問題本身,而「solve」則強調「解決」問題、謎題或困難,找到解決方案。
在口語中,當重複或引述一個問題時,常用 "answer" 來開啟回應。 EN: So when he asked if I was coming, I answered, "It depends on the weather." 翻譯: 所以當他問我是否會來時,我回答說:「這要看天氣。」
EN:She answered, "No way!" before I could even finish explaining.
翻譯:我還沒解釋完,她就回答說:「門都沒有!」
在非正式對話中,會用 "answer to" 或 "answer for" 來強調責任歸屬或回應的對象,語氣較強。 EN: You'll have to answer to the manager for this mistake. 翻譯: 你得為這個失誤向經理交代。
EN:I don't answer to you! Stop telling me what to do.
翻譯:我不用對你負責!別再告訴我該做什麼。
在思考如何回應時,有時會用 "Well, to answer that..." 或 "The answer is..." 作為填充詞,爭取時間。 EN: Well, to answer your question, I think we need more data. 翻譯: 嗯,要回答你的問題的話,我認為我們需要更多數據。
EN:The answer is... I'm not really sure, to be honest.
翻譯:答案是…老實說,我不太確定。
正式寫作注意:在正式或學術寫作中,應避免上述口語用法。請使用更精確、完整的句子結構,例如以 "In response to the question,..." 或 "The data indicates that..." 來取代口語化的引述或填充詞。
answer the question
answer + [the/this/that] + question
回答問題
answer the door
answer + the + door
應門
answer the phone
answer + the + phone
接電話
answer for something
answer for + [something/one's actions]
為某事負責;為某事擔保
answer back
answer back
頂嘴;回嘴
answer to somebody
answer to + [somebody/authority]
向某人負責;聽命於某人
answer a need
answer + a/the + need
滿足需求
answer the call
answer + the + call
回應呼籲;接聽來電
×I answered to his question.
✓I answered his question.
動詞 "answer" 是及物動詞,後面直接接受詞(問題、信件、電話等),不需要介系詞 "to"。
×Can you answer me my question?
✓Can you answer my question?
"answer" 的直接受詞是 "question",而不是人。如果要提到回答的對象,應使用 "answer someone" 或 "answer someone's question"。
×I will answer for the letter soon.
✓I will reply to the letter soon. / I will answer the letter soon.
雖然 "answer" 和 "reply" 意思相近,但 "answer" 是及物動詞,"reply" 是不及物動詞,需搭配 "to"。此處用 "answer the letter" 或 "reply to the letter" 皆可,但結構不同。
×The answer of question 3 is 'B'.
✓The answer to question 3 is 'B'.
當 "answer" 作為名詞,表示「...的答案」時,需使用介系詞 "to",而不是 "of"。
×He answered that he will come.
✓He answered that he would come.
在轉述回答的內容時,如果主要動詞(answered)是過去式,後面的名詞子句動詞時態通常要配合,使用過去式(如 would, could)或過去完成式。