日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

~に応えて

~ ni kotaete

in response to

When to use it

Use ~に応えて when an action is taken in response to expectations, demands, requests, or support that someone has directed at you. It is the standard framing in reports, press releases, and email for showing that a company acted on customer or stakeholder input. Compare 応じて (adapting according to conditions) — 応えて implies living up to something, so the preceding noun is almost always a positive expression of hope or demand.

Formation

  • Noun + に応えて — the core pattern; the noun is a demand/expectation word: 期待・要望・要請・声・信頼・支持・ニーズ・注文
  • Noun + に応え — bare 連用形, more formal; standard in written reports and speeches
  • Verbs: cannot attach directly. Nominalize first: 求め・呼びかけ・訴え + に応えて (e.g. 値下げを求める声に応えて)
  • i-adjectives / na-adjectives: do not attach. They modify the noun instead: 強い要望に応えて、熱心なご支持に応えて
  • Related forms: ~に応えるべく (in order to live up to), ~に応えられるよう (so as to meet ~), お応えする as the humble verb toward customers

Examples

  • In response to customer requests, we have added new features.

  • In response to a strong request from the client, we moved the deadline up by a week.

  • In response to feedback from the field, we plan to review the shift structure.

  • In order to live up to shareholder expectations, we have decided to raise the dividend.

  • We will do our utmost so as to meet your expectations.