Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "質問" vs "返事"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
質問
しつもん (shitsumon)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
返事
へんじ (henji)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 質問 and 返事 are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
質問 (しつもん (shitsumon)) represents "question; inquiry; interrogation" (Level: N3) and typically represents Refers to asking about things one does not know, or making inquiries to clarify facts or information. Often used as 質問に答える or 質問がある. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Question! "Haruka-san, could you answer the question of how much you love me?" ...っ! Asking such an embarrassing question! B-Baka! My love is infinite and cannot be calculated! If you want to know the answer, feel it directly through my tight, sweet hug! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『しつもん（質問）！『ハルカさん、僕への愛の深度はどのくらいですか？という質問への回答をお願いします！』って…っ！そんな恥ずかしいことストレートに質問するんじゃないのバカ！…数値化不可能なレベルで溺愛してるんだから、言葉じゃなくて私のギュッとする力加減で察しなさい！』.
On the other hand, 返事 (へんじ (henji)) translates to "reply; answer; response; acknowledgment" (Level: N3) and is used for Refers to responding to a call, replying to a question/letter, or giving a formal answer to a proposal. Often used as 返事をする or 返事をもらう. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Reply! "Haruka-san, when will you give me a reply to my confession?" ...っ! W-We are already holding hands and going on dates, isn't that the obvious reply?! B-Baka! Don't make me say such embarrassing words out loud! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『へんじ（返事）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕の愛の告白に対する正式な返事を、そろそろいただけますか？』って…っ！もう毎日隣にいて手を繋いでデートしてるのが、世界一甘い「返事」でしょ！バカ！言葉にしなきゃ分からないなんて、本当に罪な男ね！…でも、そんなに言葉が欲しいなら、耳元で愛してるって囁いてあげるわ！』. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "質問"
授業の最後に、講師は学生たちに向かって「何か分からない点や_______があれば、自由に発言してください」と促しました。
At the end of the class, the instructor encouraged the students, saying, "If you have any unclear points or questions, please speak up freely."
Bilingual Sentence for "返事"
重要な取引先から提案された共同プロジェクトの契約案件について、私たちは早急に検討し、来週末までに_______をする必要があります。
Regarding the joint project contract case proposed by an important business partner, we need to study it quickly and give a reply by the end of next week.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "授業の最後に、講師は学生たちに向かって「何か分からない点や_______があれば、自由に発言してください」と促しました。" (Meaning: "At the end of the class, the instructor encouraged the students, saying, "If you have any unclear points or questions, please speak up freely."")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "質問" fits here because it represents "question; inquiry; interrogation" in the context: "At the end of the class, the instructor encouraged the students, saying, "If you have any unclear points or questions, please speak up freely."".