Translation guide
The English word 'trust' covers a range of meanings from relying on someone's character to believing information is true. In Japanese, different words and patterns are used depending on whether you trust a person, believe a fact, or rely on something. This guide helps you choose the most natural expression.
Expressing confidence in someone's honesty, integrity, or ability to do the right thing.
The most common and general verb for trusting a person. It implies reliance on their character or ability.
私は彼を信頼しています。
I trust him.
彼は信頼できる人です。
He is a trustworthy person.
Often used for trusting someone's word, promise, or financial reliability. Slightly more about credibility than deep personal trust.
彼の言葉を信用していいですか？
Can I trust what he says?
あの店は信用できる。
That shop is trustworthy (reliable in business).
Means 'to believe'. When used about a person, it often implies believing what they say or believing in their existence/ability, but not necessarily deep reliance. Can sound less strong than 信頼する for trust in character.
Can be ambiguous between 'believe what someone says' and 'trust them as a person'. Use 信頼する for clear trust in character.
Accepting that a statement, fact, or story is correct.
Depending on a thing, system, or natural process.
Giving someone responsibility or a task, trusting them to handle it.
Referring to trust itself as an abstract idea.
信頼 (shinrai) is deep trust in a person's character. 信用 (shinyou) is trust in someone's words, promises, or financial standing. 信じる (shinjiru) is simply 'to believe' and can be used for facts or people, but is less specific. For 'I trust him as a person', 信頼している is best. For 'I trust what he says', 信用している or 信じている both work, but 信用している emphasizes credibility.
彼は信頼できるが、彼の言うことは信用できない。
I trust him as a person, but I can't trust what he says.
English often uses 'trust' in phrases like 'trust me' or 'I trust you'll be fine'. In Japanese, these are often expressed differently. 'Trust me' can be 信じて (shinjite) or 任せて (makasete) depending on context. 'I trust you'll be fine' might be 大丈夫だと思う (daijoubu da to omou) without any trust word.
私は彼を信じています。
I believe him / I believe in him.
The standard verb for believing something to be true.
その話を信じますか？
Do you trust that story?
彼が来ると信じている。
I trust that he will come.
Literally 'I think it's true'. A softer, more conversational way to express belief.
彼の言ったことは本当だと思う。
I trust what he said is true.
Means 'to rely on' or 'depend on'. Used for both people and things.
私はいつもこの時計を頼りにしている。
I always trust this watch (rely on it).
彼は地図だけを頼りに旅した。
He traveled trusting only the map.
To count on or expect something. Often used in negative or conditional sentences.
彼の助けは当てにできない。
I can't trust his help (can't count on it).
To entrust or leave something to someone. Implies trust in their ability.
この仕事は彼に任せてください。
Please trust him with this job.
あなたに任せます。
I'll trust you with it / leave it to you.
To leave something in someone's care, like money or a child. Implies trust in safekeeping.
子供を隣の人に預けた。
I trusted the neighbor with my child.
The noun form of 信頼する. General trust in a person.
信頼は大切です。
Trust is important.
彼との信頼関係を築きたい。
I want to build a relationship of trust with him.
Noun form of 信用する. Often used in financial or credibility contexts.
あの会社は信用がある。
That company has trust (credibility).
Trust me (leave it to me).
きっと大丈夫だよ。
I trust you'll be fine.
Trust me (leave it to me).
きっと大丈夫だよ。
I trust you'll be fine.