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According to 现代汉语词典:
回答问题或要求
对问题或要求做出的回答
对提出的问题、要求给予解答或表示意见
对提出的问题、要求所作出的答复
For me both seem to be practically the same. One uses the other in its explanation.
At least for me, it feels that 回答 is a more general word while 答复 is more formal, and usually used when it involves someone superior. But I'm not sure if this is correct.
So I wonder if there is any difference between them, on its usage as verb.
回答: just to answer;
答复: answer with a reply, usually in the form of writing, like a letter, an email, and etc. It connotes that to answer with some sort of attachment, which suggests the answer is a bit formal in some degree.
The two terms are very similar. The difference is how the terms are constructed: 答复 is more like "to reply" (v) or "a reply" (n); while 回答 is more like "to answer" (v) or "an answer" (n)
答(answer/ reply) 复(reply/return)
答复 = 'answer with a reply' or 'return with an answer' (to someone's question or request)
or simply "reply" /answer
~
回(return)答 (answer/ reply)
回答 = return with an answer/reply (to someone's question or request)
or simply "answer" / "reply"
~
回(return) 复 (reply)
回复 = return with an reply (to someone's question or request)
or simply "reply"
