답하다, 대답하다 and 응답하다
- 답하다: answer(v) in the most general sense. Includes answering test questions, surveys, and so on..
- 대답하다: answer someone. Common term for when one answers someone's question or request in person.
- 응답하다: respond/reply to someone or to a call. Answering a formal question or responding to a call signal, etc.
* 대 in 대답 means "face"(v) someone, and 응 means "respond".
* For interactions among people, 대답하다 is by far the most commonly used term.
Ex:
- 다음 문제에 답하시오: Answer the following question (in a test).
- 내 질문에 그는 대답하지 않았다: He didn't answer my question.
- 친구에게 이메일을 보냈는데 응답이 없다: I sent an email to my friend but there is no reply.