Use 返事する to talk about replying to a person, message or invitation.
The idea
返事 is a noun meaning a reply; with する it becomes a verb. Mark the person or message replied to with に. Conjugate する: 返事します, 返事しました and 返事して.
| Dictionary form | Polite non-past | Polite negative | Polite past | て form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 返事する | 返事します | 返事しません | 返事しました | 返事して |
Examples
- 友達に明日、返事します。I will reply to my friend tomorrow.
- 先生のメールに返事しました。I replied to the teacher’s email.
- 金曜日までに招待に返事してください。Please reply to the invitation by Friday.
- 忙しかったので、すぐに返事しませんでした。I did not reply immediately because I was busy.
- 返事してから、出かけました。After replying, I went out.
- 今日、会社から返事をもらいました。I received a reply from the company today.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
返事する means to reply, whereas 返事をもらう means to receive a reply. The direction of the response changes.
Try it yourself
Write the polite past of 返事する.
Show answer or example answer
返事しました
返事しました is the polite past: する changes to しました.
Complete with the particle marking the person replied to.
Show answer or example answer
に
に marks the friend as the person addressed.
Write the て form of 返事する.
Show answer or example answer
返事して
返事して is the て form and can link the reply to a following action.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the polite past of 返事する.
Complete with the particle marking the person replied to.
Write the て form of 返事する.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write a polite sentence replying to a friend, then change it to the past.