Comparing "huida" and "huifu"

回答 and 回复 are both verbs that can be used in English to mean “to answer” and both can be used in informal/formal settings. However, they have subtle differences and each is used in its own context. 回答 to answer (solve) a problem, compared to 回复 which is to reply (to a letter, message, text, WeChat message, etc.).

	回答 (huídá)	回复 (huífù)
Meaning	to answer, to solve a problem	to reply
Part of Speech	verb	verb
Formality	flexible	flexible

To say “to answer” as in the solution to a problem use 回答

Common Phrases

• 回答问题
• 回答正确
• 不回答

To say “to reply” a letter, message, text, WeChat message use 回答

Common Phrases

• 回复我了
• 还没回答