应 (yīng) - should, ought to & respond, answer

应Tone 1

yīng ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 广

懿嘤

应 · yīng

should, ought to;

respond, answer;

agree, consent;

suitable, fitting

should, ought torespond, answeragree, consent

Usage highlights

shouldrespondsuitableadapt to changesanswerapplication

Synonyms

  • 该— should, ought to
  • 当— should, ought to
  • 答— answer, respond

Antonyms

  • 拒— refuse, reject
  • 违— disobey, violate

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • You should come (应该来).
  • He responded to the call (响应号召).
  • This is very suitable (很应景).
  • We need to adapt to changes (应变).

Collocations

  • should(应该)
  • respond(响应)
  • suitable(应景)
  • adapt to changes(应变)
  • answer(应答)
  • application(应用)

Idioms

  • Answer like an echo(应对如响)
  • Respond to the situation(随机应变)
  • Heart and mouth correspond(心口相应)
  • Echoing each other(遥相呼应)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'should, ought to' in classical Chinese, later extended to mean 'respond, answer'.
  • In modern usage, often appears in compound words related to response, adaptation, and application.
  • The character reflects the Confucian value of proper response and adaptation to circumstances.

FAQ