に応えて — In Response To / Living Up To
Means 'in response to' or 'living up to', indicating that one acts to meet or satisfy expectations, requests, hopes, or demands. It typically follows nouns like 期待 (expectations), 要望 (requests), or 声援 (cheers). に応える is the verb form used before nouns or at the end of a clause.
Structure
[Noun] + に応えて／に応える
Examples
ファンの期待に応えて、彼は見事に優勝した。
Fan no kitai ni kotaete, kare wa migoto ni yuushou shita.
Living up to his fans' expectations, he won the championship splendidly.
期待に応えて = acting so as to satisfy the fans' expectations.
住民の要望に応えて、新しい公園が作られた。
Juumin no youbou ni kotaete, atarashii kouen ga tsukurareta.
In response to residents' requests, a new park was built.
要望に応えて shows the action taken to meet the residents' demands.
みんなの声援に応える走りを見せたい。
Minna no seien ni kotaeru hashiri wo misetai.
I want to run in a way that lives up to everyone's cheers.
に応える modifies 走り, meaning a performance worthy of the support.
• Typically pairs with 期待, 要望, 要求, 声援, 願い. • Register: formal to neutral; common in news and speeches. • Note the kanji 応える (to respond) — distinct from 答える (to answer a question).
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones に応えて is tested against.
vs に応じて
に応じて (応じる) means adapting flexibly to a variable condition ('depending on'); に応えて (応える) means actively fulfilling expectations or requests.
vs に沿って
に沿って means 'in line with (a guideline/wish)', following a course; に応えて specifically implies meeting or satisfying someone's hopes or demands.
More connectives
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