Translation guide
How to express 'lean against' in Japanese, covering physical leaning on objects or people, and figurative reliance.
To rest one's body weight against a wall, door, railing, etc.
The most common and natural verb for leaning against something. Implies resting your weight on a vertical surface.
To rest one's body on another person, often for comfort or support.
To depend on someone emotionally or financially.
General verb for relying on someone. Not physical leaning, but metaphorical support.
Both mean 'lean against,' but 寄りかかる is more common for intentional leaning on vertical surfaces, while もたれる often implies a heavier, more relaxed lean or slumping. もたれる can also be used for leaning on people, but もたれかかる is more specific for that.
立てかける is only for leaning objects against something. Using it for a person would sound unnatural and comical.
壁に寄りかかって立っていた。
I was standing leaning against the wall.
ドアに寄りかからないでください。
Please don't lean against the door.
Also means to lean against, often with a sense of leaning heavily or slumping. Can be used for people leaning on each other.
彼はソファにもたれて寝ていた。
He was sleeping leaning against the sofa.
疲れて彼女の肩にもたれた。
Exhausted, I leaned against her shoulder.
Transitive verb meaning to lean something against something else (e.g., a ladder against a wall). Not for a person leaning.
はしごを壁に立てかけた。
I leaned the ladder against the wall.
Specifically for leaning on a person, often with emotional or physical dependence.
彼は彼女にもたれかかって泣いた。
He leaned against her and cried.
Can also be used for people, but more commonly for objects. When used for people, it may imply a casual lean.
電車で隣の人に寄りかかってしまった。
I accidentally leaned against the person next to me on the train.
困ったときは友達に頼っていいよ。
You can lean on your friends when you're in trouble.
Can be used metaphorically to mean depending too much on someone, often with a negative nuance of being overly reliant.
彼はいつも親に寄りかかっている。
He always leans on his parents (too much).