Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the idea of relying on or being dependent on other people in Japanese. It includes common verbs, adjectives, and set phrases, organized by nuance: from neutral reliance to negative dependency, and from emotional dependence to financial or situational reliance.
To express that someone relies on another person for help, support, or to get things done, without strong negative connotation.
The most common verb for 'to rely on'. Can be used for depending on someone's help, support, or resources. Often used with に.
He always relies on his friends.
When you're in trouble, you can rely on your family.
More formal and often implies a stronger or more structural dependence, like economic or psychological dependency. Can be neutral or negative depending on context.
That country depends on oil imports.
A polite expression meaning 'to be taken care of' or 'to be indebted to someone'. Used when someone helps you or does something for you, often in social or professional contexts.
I'm always indebted to my senior colleague.
To express that someone depends too much on others, often in a childish or irresponsible way.
To behave in a spoiled or dependent way, expecting others to indulge you. Often used for children or in close relationships. Can be negative if used for adults.
He's always depending on his parents (in a spoiled way).
A noun meaning 'dependency mindset' or 'reliance on others'. Often used in psychological contexts.
If you have a strong dependency mindset, you can't become independent.
Leaving things to others; not taking responsibility. Implies a negative, passive attitude.
To express relying on someone emotionally, such as for comfort or a sense of security.
To express that someone is financially supported by another person, like a family member or spouse.
To be supported financially; to have someone provide for you. Often used for spouses or children.
She is supported by her husband.
Idiom: 'to gnaw on someone's shin', meaning to live off someone else (usually parents). Has a negative, immature nuance.
You shouldn't keep living off your parents forever.
To express that a task or outcome relies on someone else's contribution or decision.
Pattern meaning 'it depends on ~'. Used to say that something is contingent on a person or factor.
Success depends on your effort.
Pattern meaning 'it hinges on ~' or 'it is up to ~'. Emphasizes that the result is determined by someone or something.
Everything depends on your decision.
頼る is a general verb for relying on someone, often with a positive or neutral nuance. 依存する is more formal and often implies a heavier, sometimes problematic dependency (e.g., addiction, economic dependence). Use 頼る for everyday reliance and 依存する for structural or psychological dependency.
Relying on friends is natural.
Depending on alcohol is dangerous.
English 'depending on' can be translated many ways. Do not always use 依存する. For 'it depends on the weather', use 天気次第だ or 天気による. For 'depending on the situation', use 状況に応じて.
Depending on the weather, it may be canceled.
He leaves everything to others.