отвечать vs ответить
otvechat' vs otvetit' — answer regularly vs give one answer
Register: neutral
What it really means
Отвечать is for answering in general, repeatedly, or while replying. Ответить is one completed answer, whether to a question, message, or person.
Answering a person uses dative; answering a question uses на plus accusative.
Examples in natural speech
Он редко отвечает на сообщения.
He rarely answers messages.
Ученики отвечают на вопросы.
The students answer questions.
Я отвечаю за проект.
I am responsible for the project.
Ответь мне, пожалуйста.
Please answer me.
Она ответила на мой вопрос.
She answered my question.
Common mistakes
Do not say ответить вопрос; say ответить на вопрос. Ответить за means be responsible for, not reply.
Memory tip
Answer someone in dative, answer a question with на.
Frequently asked questions
Which form means “reply to me”?
Ответь мне.
How do I say “answer a question”?
Ответить на вопрос.
What does отвечать за mean?
To be responsible for.
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