Kotomora
JLPT N2Construction
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を頼たよりにRelying on; using as support

を頼たよりに marks a person, object, clue, memory, or resource as practical support or guidance used while carrying out an action. It is especially natural when the action involves uncertainty, difficulty, or limited information.

What the pattern emphasizes

The noun before を頼たよりに is not merely the source of an idea. It is something the person actively depends on to find a way forward, complete a task, or manage a difficult situation.

Different kinds of support

The support can provide information, physical help, or assistance from another person.

古ふるい地ち図ずを頼たよりに、霧きりの中なかを山やま小ご屋やまで歩あるいた。

Relying on an old map, I walked through the fog to the mountain hut.

Analyze

The map provides guidance when visibility is poor.

足あし元もとが暗くらかったので、杖つえを頼たよりに階かい段だんを下おりた。

Because it was dark underfoot, I relied on a cane while going down the stairs.

Analyze

Here the noun is literal physical support.

彼かれは現げん地ちの友ゆう人じんを頼たよりに、住すむ場ば所しょと仕し事ごとを探さがした。

He relied on a local friend while looking for a place to live and a job.

Analyze

The friend is a practical source of help in an unfamiliar place.

How it connects

Attach the pattern directly to the complete noun phrase, then state the action performed with that support. The construction does not necessarily mean that the support is the only thing available, but it does present dependence on it as important.

Support versus source material

を頼たよりに presents something as support used during an action. By contrast, をもとに presents something as source material or a starting point from which a new work, plan, or product is made.

この小しょう説せつは作さく者しゃの体たい験けんをもとに書かかれた。

This novel was written based on the author's experiences.

Analyze

The experiences supply material for the novel; no practical dependence during a difficult action is emphasized.

More examples

メモに残のこした電でん話わ番ばん号ごうを頼たよりに、担たん当とう者しゃに連れん絡らくした。

Using the phone number left in the notes as a lead, I contacted the person in charge.

Analyze

かすかな明あかりを頼たよりに、停てい電でんした廊ろう下かを進すすんだ。

Relying on a faint light, I made my way along the darkened corridor.

Analyze

兄あにからの仕し送おくりを頼たよりに、大だい学がく生せい活かつを続つづけている。

I am continuing my university studies with financial support from my older brother.

Analyze

遠とおい記き憶おくを頼たよりに、子こどもの頃ころの家いえを描えがいた。

Relying on distant memories, I drew the house from my childhood.

Analyze

地じ元もとの人ひとの助じょ言げんを頼たよりに、雪ゆきで閉とざされた道みちを避さけた。

Relying on advice from local people, we avoided the roads blocked by snow.

Analyze

壁かべを頼たよりに、ゆっくり立たち上あがった。

Using the wall for support, I slowly stood up.

Analyze