JLPT N2 Grammar – Difference between “〜に応えて” and “〜に応じて”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜に応こたえて” and“〜に応おうじて”
2. 〜に応こたえて
3. 〜に応おうじて
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: Do “〜に応こたえて” and “〜に応こたえて” have the same meaning?

A: Both mean ‘to do B in response to A,’ but they are used differently. Let’s look at each one.

〜に応こたえて (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
To meet the other person’s hopes, requests, or expectations

[Rule]　　
[N] Noun＋に応こたえて

[Point]
Used with nouns that express ‘questions, expectations, requests,’ etc.

[Examples]
お客きゃく様さまのご要望ようぼうに応こたえて、店みせにいすを増ふやしました。
In response to customer requests, we have added more chairs to the store.
⇒ The customer’s request to ‘increase the number of chairs’ was fulfilled

社長しゃちょうの期待きたいに応こたえられるよう、社員しゃいん達たちは頑張がんばっています。
The employees are working hard to meet the president’s expectations.
⇒ Efforts are being made to meet the ‘president’s expectations’

皆みな様さまから質問しつもんに応こたえられるように、日頃ひごろから勉強べんきょうをしています。
We study regularly to be able to answer everyone’s questions.
⇒ Efforts are being made to meet the ‘request for questions’

〜に応おうじて (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
To adapt B to the conditions of A

[Rule]　　　
[N] Noun＋に応おうじて

[Point]
Used with conditions such as ‘time, age, budget,’ etc., to indicate differences in degree or type.

[Examples]]　
可能かのうな時間じかんに応おうじて予約よやくをお取とりします。
We will schedule the reservation according to your availability.
⇒ If the time changes, the reservation time will also change

お客きゃく様さまの予算よさんに応おうじてパーティのプランが変かえられます。
The party plan can be adjusted according to the customer’s budget.
⇒ If the budget changes, the plan will also change

この学校がっこうでは子供こどもの年齢ねんれいに応おうじて、ごはんを作つくっています。
In this school, meals are prepared according to the children’s ages.
⇒ If the children’s ages change, the content of their meals will also change

Let’s Compare

Although the readings are different, both use the same kanji “応おう.”
This kanji inherently means ‘to act according to the demands of the other party’ or ‘to respond appropriately to the actions or situations of the other party.’

“Aに応こたえてB” is used when words expressing someone’s desires or requests are applied to A, indicating actions taken to fulfill those desires. It implies that an action originates from the other party, and a reaction follows.

In contrast, “Aに応おうじてB” uses words that denote conditions for A, meaning to change the response according to those conditions. It can also be used when the speaker changes their approach to meet the conditions.

Summary

〜に応こたえて

• It indicates that someone is making an effort to fulfill the other person’s desires or requests.

〜に応おうじて

• It indicates adjusting the response according to certain conditions.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.