Translation guide
To depend on or trust someone or something for support, help, or to function properly.
Expressing that you count on someone to assist you or be there for you.
The most common and versatile way to say 'rely on' a person. Can be used in various contexts.
困ったときは友達に頼る。
I rely on my friends when I'm in trouble.
He always relies on his parents.
Often used when counting on someone to do something specific, or expecting something from them. Slightly more colloquial.
彼の助けを当てにしている。
I'm counting on his help.
Formal, often used for psychological or economic dependence. Can imply an unhealthy reliance.
彼女は経済的に親に依存している。
She is financially dependent on her parents.
Expressing confidence in someone's reliability or character.
Focuses on trust and confidence in a person's abilities or integrity.
私は彼を信頼している。
I trust him / I rely on him.
彼は信頼できる人だ。
He is a reliable person.
Similar to 信頼 but often used for believing someone's words or promises.
彼の言うことを信用していいの？
Can I rely on what he says?
Expressing that something is necessary for a process or outcome.
Also used for things, not just people. Very common.
この機械は電気に頼っている。
This machine relies on electricity.
彼はいつも辞書に頼る。
He always relies on a dictionary.
Used to say something depends on a condition. Often in the pattern 〜次第で.
成功は努力次第だ。
Success depends on effort.
明日の天気次第で出かけるか決める。
I'll decide whether to go out depending on tomorrow's weather.
Means 'depends on' or 'is based on'. Very common in both spoken and written Japanese.
それは場合による。
That depends on the situation.
料金は時間によって異なる。
The fee varies depending on the time.
Formal, often used in technical or economic contexts for dependence on resources or systems.
日本は石油を輸入に依存している。
Japan relies on imports for oil.
Expressing that you use something as your primary means.
Emphasizes complete reliance, sometimes with a negative nuance of over-dependence.
彼は親の仕送りに頼り切っている。
He relies entirely on his parents' allowance.
Similar to 当てにする but can sound a bit more like 'to bank on' something.
彼は自分の腕を頼みにしている。
He relies on his own skills.
頼る is the most general 'rely on' for people and things. 信頼する is specifically about trust in a person. 依存する implies a stronger, often one-sided dependence, and can be negative.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'rely on'. Always use a phrase with a particle (に, を) and a verb (頼る, 信頼する, etc.). Using リライオン is not Japanese.