response

Compared meaning: a spoken or written reply to something (noun).

比较义项：回答、答复（名词）。

• response 本词

  The broadest and most formal term; can describe any reaction to a situation, action, or event, not only a reply in words, and is common in official or written contexts.

  语气最正式、含义最广的词；可以指对情况、行动或事件的任何反应，不限于用语言作出的回答，常用于正式或书面语境。

  The government's response to the flooding was criticized as too slow.

  政府对这场洪灾的反应被批评为过于迟缓。

• answer

  The most basic and direct term, used mainly for a reply to a question, especially one with a single correct solution; plain and factual in tone.

  最基本、最直接的词，主要用于对问题的回答，尤指有唯一正确解的问题；语气平实、注重事实。

  She finally worked out the answer to the math problem.

  她终于算出了这道数学题的答案。

• reply

  Used specifically for responding in kind to a message, letter, or spoken remark; implies direct interaction between two people rather than a reaction to an event.

  专指对书信、邮件或口头话语作出的相应回应；强调双方之间的直接互动，而不是对某一事件的反应。

  He still hasn't written a reply to his grandmother's letter.

  他还没有给奶奶的来信写回复。

All three nouns mean a reply to something. Response is the broadest, most formal term, covering any reaction, not just words. Answer is the most basic term, mainly for a reply to a question. Reply answers a letter, email, or remark, suggesting direct interaction.

这三个词都可以表示对某事的回答或反应，但语气和正式程度不同：response 语气最正式、含义最广，可以指对情况或事件的任何反应，不限于用语言作出的回答；answer 是最基本、最常用的词，尤指对问题给出的具体、正确的答案；reply 强调对书信、邮件等交流作出的回应，暗示双方之间的直接互动。