The Difference Between “アンケートに回答する” and “アンケートを回答する” (Ankēto ni kaitō suru vs. Ankēto o kaitō suru)
Aren’t “アンケートに回答する” (ankēto ni kaitō suru: to respond to a survey) and “アンケートを回答する” (ankēto o kaitō suru: to answer a survey) essentially the same thing?When should you use “アンケートに回答する” (ankēto ni kaitō suru) versus “アンケートを回答する” (ankēto o kaitō suru)?I can’t quite grasp the nuance between “アンケートに回答する” (ankēto ni kaitō suru) and “アンケートを回答する” (ankēto o kaitō suru)...
Hello, Japanese learners! The Japanese language has many similar expressions, and it can sometimes be confusing to decide which one to use. Have you ever wondered which expression is correct: “アンケートに回答する” (ankēto ni kaitō suru: to respond to a survey) or “アンケートを回答する” (ankēto o kaitō suru: to answer a survey)?
Today, Eri-san from the JPLT Online Japanese Language School will explain the difference between these two expressions in a way that’s easy to understand, even for beginners.
What Does “回答する” Mean?
回答する (kaitō suru) means “to answer” or “to provide a response” to a question or request.
For example:
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先生の質問に回答する (sensei no shitsumon ni kaitō suru): to answer the teacher’s question.
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アンケートの質問に回答する (ankēto no shitsumon ni kaitō suru): to respond to the questions in a survey.
Which Is Correct: “アンケートに回答する” or “アンケートを回答する”?
When asking which is the correct expression, “アンケートに回答する” (ankēto ni kaitō suru: to respond to a survey) is generally more natural in Japanese.
Why is “アンケートに回答する” (ankēto ni kaitō suru) correct?An アンケート (ankēto: survey) contains multiple questions, and we respond to each of these questions individually.Therefore, the expression “アンケートに” (ankēto ni: to the survey) accurately conveys the act of answering the questions in the survey.
Why Does “アンケートを回答する” Sound Slightly Unnatural?
The phrase “アンケートを回答する” (ankēto o kaitō suru: to answer a survey) is not grammatically incorrect.
However, it sounds slightly unnatural because “回答する” (kaitō suru: to answer/respond) typically targets something more specific, such as a question or problem rather than the survey as a whole.
Comparison with Similar Expressions
Let’s compare this to another similar expression: “質問に答える” (shitsumon ni kotaeru: to answer a question).
Both expressions describe the act of providing an answer to a posed question, but their nuances differ slightly:
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質問に答える (shitsumon ni kotaeru):This is a general expression that can be used for any type of question.Example: 彼の質問に答える (kare no shitsumon ni kotaeru): to answer his question.
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アンケートに回答する (ankēto ni kaitō suru):This is a specific expression used when responding to a survey.Example: 私はアンケートに回答しました (watashi wa ankēto ni kaitō shimashita): I responded to the survey.
Conclusion: Which Should You Use?
In conclusion, “アンケートに回答する” (ankēto ni kaitō suru: to respond to a survey) is the more natural and commonly used expression.
However, this doesn’t mean that “アンケートを回答する” (ankēto o kaitō suru: to answer a survey) is completely wrong. In certain contexts, both expressions can be understood.
The most important thing is not which expression to use but how effectively you convey your intended meaning to your listener.
Tips for Japanese Learning
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Create lots of example sentences:Practice using the phrase “アンケートに回答する” (ankēto ni kaitō suru) in various sentences.Example: 私はこのアンケートに正直に回答しました (watashi wa kono ankēto ni shōjiki ni kaitō shimashita): I answered this survey honestly.
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Ask native speakers:If possible, ask Japanese native speakers which expression sounds more natural.
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Expose yourself to diverse texts:Reading newspapers, novels, and other materials helps you learn natural Japanese expressions.
