に応えて（にこたえて）

About

〜にこたえて is a combination of the に particle, and the て form of the verb 応こたえる, "to respond; to answer; to meet (e.g. expectations; demand)".

We can attach にこたえて to a noun, forming the 「XにこたえてY」 pattern, which expresses that "Y is done in response to/in order to follow X".

The noun that precedes にこたえて tends to be something along the lines of expectation, desire, support, or demand.

E.g.

希望きぼうにこたえて〜 "In response to (someone's) desires"

期待きたいにこたえて〜 "In response to (someone's) expectations"

要望ようぼうにこたえて〜 "In response to (someone's) request"

～にこたえて always acts in response to a human desire/demand/expectation/etc.

〜にこたえて can be used in casual, polite, and formal situations. In written/formal contexts, 〜にこたえ is more common.

E.g. さとし君くんは、両親りょうしんの期待きたいに応こたえて医者いしゃになりました。 "Satoshi-kun became a doctor in response to his parent's expectations."

E.g. 娘むすめのリクエストにこたえて、夕食ゆうしょくはハンバーグにした。 "I made hamburger steak for dinner in response to my daughter's request."

E.g. スティーブの希望きぼうにこたえて、誕生日たんじょうびには植物しょくぶつをあげた。 "I gave Steve a plant for his birthday, in response to his wishes."

Summary

• 

  XにこたえてY expresses that "Y is done in response to/in order to follow X"

• 

  The noun that precedes にこたえて tends to be something along the lines of expectation, desire, support, or demand

• 

  ～にこたえて always acts in response to a human desire/demand/expectation/etc.

• 

  〜にこたえて can be used in casual, polite, and formal situations