répondre/ʁe.pɔ̃dʁ/
verb · A1 · Frequency 413
verb
Meanings
to reply, to answer
Can be used transitively or intransitively; commonly used in both spoken and written language to indicate responding to a question or request.
to answer for, to be responsible for
Transitive verb used to indicate taking responsibility or answering on behalf of someone else; often used in formal contexts.
Examples
Je vais répondre au message dès que j'aurai terminé la réunion.
I will reply to the message as soon as I have finished the meeting.
Elle préfère répondre calmement plutôt que parler sous le coup de l'émotion.
She prefers to answer calmly rather than speak emotionally.
Le directeur devra répondre de la sécurité des visiteurs pendant l'événement.
The director will have to answer for the visitors' safety during the event.
Collocations
- répondre à une questionto answer a question
- répondre de ses actesto answer for one's actions
Common mistakes
répondre pour une question
répondre à une question
For the meaning “to answer a question,” répondre takes the preposition à, not pour.
répondre à ses actes
répondre de ses actes
For the meaning “to answer for one’s actions,” the fixed construction is répondre de quelque chose, so the preposition must be de.
Related words
synonymrépliquerto reply, to retort
Grammar note
The verb répondre forms compound tenses with the auxiliary avoir; when indicating the object answered, it is typically followed by the preposition à (répondre à quelqu’un/quelque chose).
verb
Meanings
to reply, to answer
Can be used transitively or intransitively; commonly used in both spoken and written language to indicate responding to a question or request.
to answer for, to be responsible for
Transitive verb used to indicate taking responsibility or answering on behalf of someone else; often used in formal contexts.
Examples
Répondant calmement aux questions, la candidate a rassuré le jury.
Answering the questions calmly, the candidate reassured the panel.
Répondant à la demande des habitants, la mairie a prolongé les horaires de la bibliothèque.
Responding to the residents' request, the town hall extended the library's opening hours.
Répondant de ses actes devant la justice, le directeur a présenté sa démission.
Answering for his actions before the courts, the director submitted his resignation.
Grammar note
The verb répondre forms compound tenses with the auxiliary avoir; when indicating the object answered, it is typically followed by the preposition à (répondre à quelqu’un/quelque chose).
verb
Meanings
to reply, to answer
Can be used transitively or intransitively; commonly used in both spoken and written language to indicate responding to a question or request.
to answer for, to be responsible for
Transitive verb used to indicate taking responsibility or answering on behalf of someone else; often used in formal contexts.
Examples
Elle a répondu au courriel avant la fin de la journée.
She replied to the email before the end of the day.
Le candidat a répondu clairement à toutes les questions du jury.
The candidate answered all the panel's questions clearly.
Le directeur a répondu de la sécurité du chantier devant le tribunal.
The director answered for the site's safety in court.
Collocations
- répondre à une questionto answer a question
- répondre de ses actesto answer for one's actions
Common mistakes
répondre pour une question
répondre à une question
For the meaning “to answer a question,” répondre takes the preposition à, not pour.
répondre à ses actes
répondre de ses actes
For the meaning “to answer for one’s actions,” the fixed construction is répondre de quelque chose, so the preposition must be de.
Related words
synonymrépliquerto reply, to retort
Grammar note
The verb répondre forms compound tenses with the auxiliary avoir; when indicating the object answered, it is typically followed by the preposition à (répondre à quelqu’un/quelque chose).
verb
Meanings
to reply, to answer
Can be used transitively or intransitively; commonly used in both spoken and written language to indicate responding to a question or request.
to answer for, to be responsible for
Transitive verb used to indicate taking responsibility or answering on behalf of someone else; often used in formal contexts.
Examples
Je réponds à ton message dès que j'arrive au bureau.
I will reply to your message as soon as I get to the office.
Je réponds de la sécurité des visiteurs pendant la réunion.
I am responsible for the visitors' safety during the meeting.
Quand tu réponds clairement, tout le monde comprend mieux la situation.
When you answer clearly, everyone understands the situation better.
Grammar note
The verb répondre forms compound tenses with the auxiliary avoir; when indicating the object answered, it is typically followed by the preposition à (répondre à quelqu’un/quelque chose).