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Kotomora

頼

trust, request

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 1,000Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • ライ

Kun'yomi

  • たの.む
  • たの.もしい
  • たよ.る

Nanori

  • よち
  • より

Meaning

頼 centers on relying on someone or something: trusting them, making a request, or depending on their help.

Most common words using 頼

20 of 73
  • 頼むたのむ
    N5

    to request; to beg; to ask

  • 信頼しんらい
    N3

    trust (in); confidence; faith; reliance

  • 依頼いらい
    N3

    request; commission; entrusting (with a matter)

  • 頼るたよる
    N3

    to rely on; to depend on; to count on; to turn to (for help)

  • 頼りたより
    N2

    reliance; dependence

  • 頼みたのみ
    N1

    request; favor; favour

  • 頼もしいたのもしい
    N2

    reliable; dependable; trustworthy; reassuring

  • 神頼みかみだのみ

    entreaty to a deity

  • 無頼ぶらい

    villainous; rascally; knavish

  • 頼み込むたのみこむ

    to request earnestly

  • 信頼性しんらいせい

    credibility; authenticity; confidence; reliability

  • 頼りないたよりない
    N1

    unreliable; undependable; indefinite; vague

  • 依頼者いらいしゃ

    client; requester

  • もみ手で頼むもみででたのむ

    to supplicate; to implore humbly

  • サービス信頼性サービスしんらいせい

    service reliability

  • 人頼みひとだのみ

    relying on others; depending on others

  • 人頼りひとだより

    reliance on others

  • 依頼主いらいぬし

    client

  • 依頼人いらいにん

    client; requester

  • 依頼心いらいしん

    spirit of dependence

Explore all words using 頼 →

Study

Etymology

頼 is the modern simplified form of 賴. The older form combines 束 (bundle) with 貝 (shell/money), suggesting reliance on material resources. The modern 頁 shape is a simplification.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 束 looks like a bundle, and the right side 頁 looks like a head. Imagine a person carrying a heavy bundle on their head, relying on someone else to help them balance it.

Reading mnemonic

For ライ, imagine trusting someone to hold your bundle while you tie your shoelace: lace -> ライ, and you rely on them not to drop it.