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

Table of Contents

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

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

A: Both have the meaning of “doing B in accordance with A,” but their usage is different.
“〜に応こたえて” is used when someone takes action in response to another person’s hope, request, or expectation in order to fulfill it.
On the other hand, “〜に応おうじて” is used when changing one’s response according to differences in conditions or situations.
Let’s look at how each one is used.

Aに応こたえてB (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
To act in a way that meets the other person’s hope, request, or expectation

[Rule]　　
[N] Noun + に応こたえて

[Point]
It is used together with nouns that express another person’s hope or request, such as “質問しつもん (questions),” “期待きたい (expectations),” and “要望ようぼう (requests).”

[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”.

Aに応おうじてB (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
To change B according to the conditions of A

[Rule]　　　
[N] Noun + に応おうじて

[Point]
It is used together with nouns that express differences in degree, type, or condition, such as “時間じかん (time),” “年齢ねんれい (age),” and “予算よさん (budget).”

[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.”
This kanji has the image of responding in accordance with another person’s request or with a situation.
However, when they are used as grammar patterns, their meanings are slightly different.

[Aに応こたえてB]


A contains things such as someone’s hope, request, expectation, or question.
It expresses taking action so that what is asked for can be fulfilled.
In other words, it means responding to something that another person has asked for or initiated.

[Aに応おうじてB]

A contains a condition, situation, or standard.
It expresses changing the response or content according to that condition.
In other words, rather than fulfilling a request, it means adjusting something in accordance with a condition.

Summary

[Aに応こたえてB]

• It expresses taking action in response to someone’s hope, request, expectation, question, or something similar.

[Aに応おうじてB]

• It expresses changing one’s response or the content according to a certain condition or situation.
  
  

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.