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.
I was standing leaning against the wall.
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.
He was sleeping leaning against the sofa.
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.
I leaned the ladder against the wall.
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.
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.
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.
I accidentally leaned against the person next to me on the train.
He always leans on his parents (too much).