Definition
答话 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to answer' or 'to reply'. You can split it by inserting particles, measure words, or complements between 答 and 话, e.g. 答了一句话 ('answered a sentence') or 答不上话 ('unable to reply'). The verb typically takes no direct object; instead, use 跟/对 + person + 答话 ('to answer someone').
v.o.
to answerto reply
Examples
- ，答话。Tā yóuyù le yíhuìr, cái huǎnhuǎn dá huà.He hesitated for a moment before slowly answering.
- ，。Wǒ wèn le tā sān biàn, tā dōu méiyǒu dá yí jù huà.I asked him three times, and he didn't answer a single word.
- ，。Zhège wèntí tài nán le, tā dá bú shàng huà lái.This question is too hard; he couldn't come up with a reply.
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