Translation guide
The quality of being reliable and trustworthy. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through nouns, adjectives, and phrases that describe a person's character or the reliability of things.
Describing a person who is reliable, trustworthy, and can be counted on.
A formal noun meaning reliability or trustworthiness. Often used in professional or technical contexts, but can apply to people.
彼の信頼性は高い。
His dependability is high.
A common phrase meaning 'can be relied on' or 'dependable'. Used to describe people who are helpful and trustworthy.
彼は本当に頼りになる人だ。
He is a really dependable person.
Means 'trustworthy' or 'credible'. Emphasizes that someone can be trusted based on past behavior.
あの人は信用できる。
That person is dependable.
Similar to 頼りになる, but slightly more casual. Means 'can be counted on'.
彼の言うことは当てにならない。
What he says is not dependable.
An adjective meaning 'steady', 'solid', or 'reliable'. Often used to describe a person's character or financial situation.
彼は堅実な人柄だ。
He has a dependable character.
Describing the reliability of objects, machines, services, or abstract systems.
The standard term for reliability in technical contexts. Used for software, hardware, data, etc.
このシステムの信頼性は非常に高い。
The dependability of this system is very high.
Means 'stability' or 'reliability'. Often used for performance, quality, or consistent operation.
Means 'certainty' or 'reliability'. Emphasizes that something will definitely work as expected.
頼りになる focuses on being helpful and supportive in practical situations, while 信用できる emphasizes trustworthiness based on character or past actions. Use 頼りになる for someone you can ask for help, and 信用できる for someone whose word you can trust.
The English word 'dependability' is often translated as 信頼性, but in casual conversation about people, 頼りになる is much more natural. Using 信頼性 for a friend may sound overly formal or technical.
この車の信頼性は抜群です。
The dependability of this car is outstanding.
This car has high dependability.
The dependability of that method has been proven.